EON

AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) is a fatal disease of the immune system caused by Human Immune Deficiency Virus (HIV). Once an individual gets infected by HIV virus its ability to fight against disease and microorganisms decreases. One tends to develop many “opportunistic diseases” and severe infections which may lead to death. Globally 33 million people have got infected with this deadly virus out of which 25 million have died with severe complications. As indicated by U.S. Centers for Disease control and prevention that recently HIV infections have increased significantly in United States.

Further data from the board signals that majority of cases are found in U.S. cities; around 71 percent of cases are from only 10 major states of United States. As compared to 82 percent in 2007, the occurrence of infections in U.S. large metropolitan areas have increased to 85 percent – which is alarming. As per Centers for disease control, AIDS was identified in 1980s and till then 1,051,875 people have got infected with HIV infections, out of which 37,041 were new cases found in 2007 alone. Reports suggest that in 2006, United States had 56,300 new cases diagnosed with HIV infection. This infection usually spreads through infected blood, semen or breast milk. Many papers suggest that cluster of cases in cities may be related to lifestyle and living.

As such there is no treatment available to cure this infection; drugs are given to the patients to avoid the spread of infection and to improve the quality of life. Immune booster drugs and Anti Retroviral drugs are considered as the options to control the infection and keep the patients healthy. U.S. Federal is taking active steps to treat people and stop the spread of infection. In 2008, U.S. Federal had funded $ 23.3 billion for HIV infected people and their treatments. Out of which Fifty percent of fund was assigned towards the care and treatment of patients, 12 percent was given to boost research for AIDS, 10 percent was allocated for cash and housing assistance for infected people, 4 percent of fund was apportioned to avoid spread of infection and 25 percent for help and support in other countries.

Non- government organizations like “Clinton Global Initiative” and Gates foundation “The Global fight against HIV/AIDS” are also taking active roles to fund the treatment and spread the awareness. They are making efforts to make small clinics across cities where the disease can be diagnosed. Aim is also to discuss with pharmaceutical companies to make treatment as affordable as possible.

It is essential to spread the information and make people aware about this infection. As lack of knowledge about HIV transmission and having unprotected sex makes it more vulnerable.