Hiv / Aids The Rapid Spread Of Infectious Disease Essay

An epidemic can be defined as â€Å"The rapid spread of infectious disease to a large number of people in a given population within a short period of time†. When the culmination of an epidemic spreads across countries (then being identified as a pandemic) the affliction of the disease affects people of all varieties, being excluded from no cultural or social background. From The Black Death of 1347 to the Spanish Flu during World War I, pandemics have deeply affected populations throughout the world, sparking extreme social, economic, and medical advancements that have helped to shape communities of all diversities. One particularly influential pandemic that spread through Californian communities was the HIV/AIDS outbreak, an extremely erratic and largely unknown disease even of it’s modern time. The large scale spread of HIV/AIDS in California beginning roughly between late 1970’s/early 1980’s caused panic among medical professionals and affected communit ies throughout the entire state as well as The United States as a whole, ultimately becoming recognized as one of the largest modern pandemics worldwide. HIV is an incurable disease that affects the immune system by attacking T cells (help to fight infections) which unlike normal cells throughout the body cannot be rejuvenated. HIV is contracted through exposure to blood or bodily fluids containing the virus, weakening the immune system to levels in which the body becomes prone to infection and illness. Due to lack ofShow MoreRelatedThe Epidemic Of Infectious Diseases Essay1549 Words   |  7 PagesFor thousands of years, infectious diseases have had a strong influence over human populations by challenging the immune system to continuously adapt to new virulent strains. With the advantage of reproducing more rapidly than the human immune response, microorganisms that cause even minor infections can prove to be fatal (Parham, 2015). Over time, outbreaks such as ‘The Great Plague’ have threatened to bring an end to society. Without the ability to contain these diseases geographically and provideRead MoreThe Public Health T riad Essay1017 Words   |  5 PagesThe role of public health in our society cannot be underestimated. The main goal of public health is to prevent and control diseases with the aim of promoting health. Humans contribute to this health promotion. However, human actions are also responsible to some detrimental health effects. Human behavior through habitat modification has led to the emergence of infectious diseases â€Å"Modification of natural habitats by humans is a leading cause of emerging zoonoses† (Battle, 2009, P 32). Humans contributeRead MoreThe Fight Against Non Communicable Diseases1221 Words   |  5 PagesIn today’s society diseases are the main generalization that causes death and to be spread from state to state. Transnational diseases are life threatening and can cause a person to become ill for a very long time. Although, there are several types of diseases that complex the world, none stick out more than HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, Ebola, and animal dis eases. All of these take a major toll on the world with them passed from one person to another. With people visiting different countries day in andRead MoreHIV/AIDS in Botswana.1525 Words   |  7 Pageswith AIDS in 2003 (AIDS and HIV Statistics for Africa). In Botswana alone, the AIDS prevalence rate is an immense 36.5% (HIV and AIDS in Botswana). In Botswana, AIDS has been an ongoing epidemic since the first case reported in 1985 (HIV and AIDS in Botswana). AIDS is caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), which weakens a person s immune system causing them to be more susceptible to infectious diseases such as meningitis, pneumonia, the flu, and many other diseases. Though AIDS does notRead MoreUnderstanding The Evolution, Life History, And Aids, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome868 Words   |  4 PagesEbola and HIV Ebola, and AIDS, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, are both dangerous zoonotic diseases that originated in Sub-Saharan Africa. AIDS, the result of HIV, human immunodeficiency virus, has been an ongoing pandemic for decades. Meanwhile, the first Ebola case was recognized in the 1976 and has incurred severe sporadic outbreaks but has been controlled (Rajak, 2015). While both rapidly mutating RNA viruses, several key factors have allowed AIDS, to become a worldwide pandemic while EbolaRead MoreHuman Immunodeficiency Virus Type 21523 Words   |  7 PagesHuman Immunodeficiency Virus Type 2 HIV-II Discovered and Isolated In 1985, serological evidence was presented which suggested a virus closely related to simian T-lymphotropic virus type III (STLV-III) infected a man in Senegal West Africa (Barin, M’Boup, Denis 1985). At that time, Senegal, West Africa was a region where AIDS and AIDS-related diseases had been observed (Barin, M’Boup, Denis 1985). The results of the serological evidence suggested that certain healthy Senegalese people were exposedRead MoreHow Can We Protect Ourselves Against Infectious Disease?1404 Words   |  6 PagesHow Can We Protect Ourselves Against Infectious Disease? An infectious disease is caused by a pathogenic microorganism such as virus, bacteria, protists and fungi. It can spread directly or indirectly from human to human or from human to animal, which is called zoonotic. For infectious diseases such as AIDS or Hepatitis B, it is transmitted via breast-feeding, contaminated injections/transfusion and unprotected sex. Diseases like bird flu such as Influenza and SARS, they are transmitted via dropletsRead MoreThe HIV/AIDS Epidemic in China Essay807 Words   |  4 PagesChina is going through a period of rapid social transformation where these practices are becoming visible and being acknowledged by the Chinese. Recently, Chinese officials have recognized and admitted that the country is experiencing a widespread outbreak of HIV/AIDS. Previously, China adopted the position that there was little to no HIV/AIDS in the country, but now officials are admitting that they do in fact have a large population of citizens with HIV/AIDS. It is said to be the leading causeRead MoreTuberculosis And Its Effects On Society1704 Words   |  7 PagesThey called it consumption. It was an accurate name – it consumed you, and you coughed up pieces of yourself as the disease ravaged your body. More often than not, you died a painful, terrifying death, but not until after you showered your loved ones with the extremely contagious bacteria. Today we call it Tuberculosis, and, growing up as a child of the 80’s, my only exposure to TB was in the educational game, The Oregon Trail. Indeed, in the United States, TB is not something frequently seenRead MoreIsaiah Bouromphongsa . 2Nd Hour. Mrs. Klaren. 4/12/17.1013 Words   |  5 PagesIsaiah Bouromphongsa 2nd Hour Mrs. Klaren 4/12/17 HIV vs. Ebola HIV and Ebola are often compared to each other, but they are very different viruses. HIV also known as human immunodeficiency virus is one of two retroviruses that infect and destroy helper T cells of the immune system, causing a reduction of T cells. Ebola is an infectious and fatal disease that starts with fever and internal bleeding, spread through contact with infected bodily fluids by a filovirus. In The Hot Zone, Richard Preston