HIV, or Human Immunodeficiency Virus, is a deadly epidemic that has spread across the world. It weakens a person’s immune system by destroying important cells that fight disease and infection. If left unchecked, HIV evolves into Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, or AIDS. You can get or transmit HIV only through specific activities. The most common activities being sexual behaviors and needle/syringe use. It is thought to of come from a certain species of chimpanzees. However, it is considered a 21st century plague. This is because the discovery and the subsequent pandemic that followed is recent. World leaders refused to acknowledge that it was a problem. Moreover, the causes of transmission are also 21st century taboo topics – the two highest/most common being homosexuality/anal sex and drug abuse. This well-known fact, along with the acquisition of HIV itself, can have major effects on victims. It is common for those that have HIV to feel guilt and shame. Another impact on our culture is that we shun and actively avoid those who contract this virus as if they have the plague. There have also been several impacts to American culture due to this pandemic. First, the LGBTQ community was (after already being outcasted) further ostracized from society and received the blame for the virus spreading in the United States. Another impact, perhaps a more positive one, is that it brought more awareness to sexually transmitted diseases and practicing safe sex.
Although over 36 million people are currently infected with HIV, there has been progress in the road to recovery and aid. The first is prevention and education in regards to HIV. Practicing safe sex and having the younger generation be more knowledgeable about the disease can help. There is also a “preventative” medicine that humans can take if they are at very high risk for HIV or if they believe they have been in contact with it. This medicine is called Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis or PrEP. PrEP significantly lowers the chances of becoming infected with HIV- by more than 90%. The next step is treatment for HIV. Once infected, people can take Antiretroviral drugs, or ARV. These drugs can slow down the virus to a near halt, stopping it from spreading in the body and killing the victim.
HR: cdc.gov, CANVAS documents, WHO.org