Aids

             The 1980's were a period of transition for everyone. Modification was underway; fashion, music and cultures were changing. While the world was adapting to all those changes a deadly disease crept in almost unnoticed by the public. The new disease was given the name Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). No one would have ever thought that the new disease that started out so small would, in a short period of time, grow to be so large and devastating. "Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is an infectious disease caused by the human immunodeficiency virus or HIV... AIDS is the advanced form of infection with the HIV virus, which may not cause disease for a long period after the initial exposure (latency). No vaccine is currently available to prevent HIV infection" (Frey 59). AIDS "is already the fourth biggest cause of death in the world" (Aid for AIDS). The number of people infected is steadily increasing with 15,000 adults between the ages of fifteen and twenty-four contracting the disease daily; adding to the thirty-four million people currently infected (Aid for AIDS). "It is estimated that on-half of all new infections in the United States occur among people younger than 25, most of whom are infected through sexual behavior"(Butler and Cooper). Since the disease first surfaced some twenty years ago, it has killed some twenty-two million people (Researchers say there will be an AIDS vaccine within 10 years). These figures are likely to double maybe even triple if no one takes a stand.
             "Americans between the ages of 13 and 14 are becoming infected with HIV at a rate of 2 people per hour. Youths under age 25 represent about one-half of all new HIV infections" (AIDS risk is high among young people). In comparison to adults, young people are putting themselves at a greater risk of contracting AIDS because they are much more sexually active (AIDS risk is high among young peop...

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Aids. (1969, December 31). In MegaEssays.com. Retrieved 17:03, March 28, 2024, from https://www.megaessays.com/viewpaper/101577.html