AIDS: AN OVERVIEW

The CDC reports that there are currently 42 million people in the world who are living with HIV/AIDS. Of these, 38.6 million are adults, 19.2 million are women, and 3.2 million are children under 15 years of age. In 2002, it was estimated that over 5 million people acquired the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). During this same year, approximately 3.1 million people died of the disease. While the number of AIDS cases in America is smaller in comparison to global statistics (816, 149 cases reported in 2002), these statistics are nonetheless staggering in scope. The purpose of this paper is to present a brief overview of HIV/AIDS. The disease is first defined and described in terms of its general physical effects. This is followed by a delineation of its psychological and social effects. The overview ends with a prognosis for the disease, both on an individual and social basis.

Nature of AIDS and Its Physical Effects

AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. According to Stine (2002), AIDS is caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) which operates to weaken the human immune system to the point that it has difficulty fighting off certain infections. These types of infections are known as "opportunistic" infections because they take the opportunity a weakened immune system gives to cause illness. As the virus weakens the immune system, the individual's ability to fight off disease decreases until it is virtually non-exist

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sical and emotional distance that takes place and often grows; and while this distance may at first be only experienced with people in close proximity, it can expand over time until the individual feels distant from the social community in general. There are feelings of guilt, rejection and sadness. Goldenberg and Boyle (2000) report that research indicates that about 30 to 60 percent of people living with HIV/AIDS have some form of psychiatric disorder, although it is not known whether the disorders preceded or followed the diagnosis of HIV infection. However, the authors state that it is important to note that not only do these disorders interfere with these patients' ability to adhere to treatment, they also often place patients at risk for disordered behavior such as having unprotected sex and putting others at risk. For these reasons, Goldenberg and Boyle state that: Clinicians who treat patients with HIV infection need to be aware of the complex, and sometimes subtle, psychiatric and psychosocial issues patients living with HIV confront. A psychiatric evaluation, which assesses the patient's current well-being and his or her risk for future psychiatric problems, should be standard for every HIV-infected patient. (p. 11)

Category: Medical - A