Option Global

HIV is a virus that began as far back as the 1800’s through a type of chimpanzee. It started in Africa and slowly spread around the world. It reached the United States around the 1970’s. The rate of the spread of HIV increased with men having sex with men. This social stigma severely ostracized anybody who had HIV due to the negative view and “shame” of homosexuality. However, once women started getting it by having sex with a male who had previously had sex with an HIV-infected male, fear started to sweep throughout the world, as they realized that anybody could get it. Some preventative measures that limit the spread of HIV is the fact that it cannot be spread through mosquitos, sharing toilets, or kissing; only through needles and sexual activity. Condoms also reduce the risk of contracting HIV if used the right way. Globally, HIV has affected different areas of the world differently. In developing countries, where there is a lack of education about disease, poor sanitation, and higher cases of sexual assault, HIV devastates the country. HIV has grabbed the attention of people worldwide, and education of safe sex and disease is more commonly taught. In the Unite States particularly, immense progress has been made in the research of a cure for HIV. However, 1.1 million people are living with HIV in the United States, and there are new cases each year. HIV kills. Even though there is no cure at the moment, money is being spent for further research.

Help Received:

https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/whatishiv.html

https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/statistics.html

https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/transmission.html