None_Provided
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome, or AIDS, is caused by infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which attacks cells in the immune system and results in functional defects. These defects may not be apparent for years. However, they lead to a severe suppression of the immune system's ability to resist harmful organisms. This leaves the body open to invasion by various infections, which are called opportunistic diseases, and to the development of unusual cancers. The virus also tends to reach certain brain cells, leading to so-called neuropsychiatric abnormalities, or psychological disturbances which are caused by physical damage to nerve cells. From the first reports AIDS in 1981, through mid-1994 more than 402,000 AIDS cases and more than 241,000 deaths have been reported in the United States alone. This is only the tip of the iceberg of HIV infection, however. It is estimated that nearly 1 million Americans have been infected with the virus through !the mid-1990s but have not yet developed clinical symptoms. In addition, although the vast majority of documented cases have occurred in the United States, AIDS cases have also been reported in almost every country in the world. Sub-Saharan Africa in par
, Living with AIDS (1990); Hubley, J. These cells play a crucial role in coordinating the body's immune defenses against invading organisms. All blood intended for transfusion or the manufacture of blood products is now tested for the antibody. Persons exposed to HIV may have difficulty in obtaining adequate health- insurance coverage. The 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act included protection from discrimination for people with HIV; the Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency Act was passed to provide funds to cities hard hit by AIDS. Evidence thus far indicates that circulating HIV-infected blood cells of the kind called monocytes may be responsible for the initiation of infection in the brain. While a faster approval rate may expose patients to unforeseen side effects, activists argue that patients with life-threatening diseases who have no alternative therapy should still be entitled to choose these drugs. The brochure was mailed to every household in the nation. It would also be desirable if therapies could be taken orally, since it is likely that AIDS drugs would have to be taken for a long period and perhaps a lifetime. , AIDS: The Biological Basis (1993); Corea, G.
Common topics in this essay:
HIV Blood-cell,
AIDS AIDS,
Health Service,
ARC HIV,
Yearly AZT,
DDI AZT,
HIV RNA,
,
HIV Research,
Disease KS,
hiv infection,
hiv infection aids,
infection aids,
aids patients,
opportunistic infections,
blood cells,
t4 cell,
percent aids,
infected hiv,
united aids,
opportunistic diseases,
blood cells called,
al eds aids,
human immunodeficiency virus,
et al eds,
|
Acceptance Essays
