AIDS Then and Now Essay

8/2/2019 AIDS Then and Now Essay.

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Dylan Dunn

Mrs. Longnecker

English 10

3/30/12

AIDS Then and Now

Dictionary.com defines aids as: a disease of the immune

system characterized by increased susceptibility to opportunistic

infections. While this would be the medical definition of aids there

was many other characteristics of AIDS widely remarked in the mid

80s and early 90s as the gay disease there were many

misconceptions about HIV/AIDS. misconceptions that even public

figures such as Magic Johnson could not elude. Despite this

HIV/AIDS perception as well as the way we treat HIV/AIDS today

has evolved over time.

When HIV/AIDS was relatively new there were few

medications to fight against it. The few drugs there were, was very

expensive and unaffordable for many. Especially the large number

of inner city people not practicing safe sex or sharing needles.To
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be diagnosed with AIDS was a death sentence due to the lack of

medications

When HIV/AIDS was first discovered in 1985 it was

commonly referred to as the gay disease. Many people had

misconceptions about HIV/AIDS like for instance that HIV and

AIDS are the same. This obviously is a false statement, HIV

(Human Immunodeficiency Virus) which is the virus that causes the

immune system to break down. As a result of this breakdown AIDS

(Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome), the collection of

symptoms, diseases, and infections associated with an acquired

deficiency of the immune system occurs. While HIV is the

underlying cause of AIDS, not all HIV-positive individuals have

AIDS, as HIV can remain in a latent state for many years. While In

a lot of cases HIV progresses to AIDS, HIV and AIDS are not the

same.

Another common misconception people in the mid 80s and

early 90s had about AIDS was that it or HIV could be spread

through contact with HIV or AIDS. This is yet another myth come

about due to ignorance of HIV/AIDS. The world health organization
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acquired_Immune_Deficiency_Syndromehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immune_systemhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Incubation_periodhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Incubation_periodhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immune_systemhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acquired_Immune_Deficiency_Syndrome


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was quoted as saying the biggest threat may not be HIV/AIDS at

all, but quite possibly the common mans Ignorance. In 1987 A

leaflet about AIDS was delivered to every household in the UK,

and the British Government also launched a major advertising

campaign with the slogan "AIDS: Don't Die of Ignorance" while the

World Health organization was making attempts to inform the

public of HIV/AIDS it was clear that a spokes person of formidable

fame was necessary.

In 1991Magic Johnson the three time NBA MVP and hall of

famer announced that he had contracted HIV. He had chosen to

retire from the NBA amongst the scrutiny he would receive form

continuing to play despite having AIDS. In 1992 Magic was voted

into the NBA all-star game and played with a broken heart as

many of his former teammates opposed his participation, as they

were concerned for their safety. Even public figures such as Magic

Johnson was ridiculed and persecuted for having HIV/AIDS. Magic

Johnson tried to stage a comeback into the NBA but withdrew form

doing so only weeks before the start of the season due to an

enormous amount of protest from his fellow players. After his


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career Magic Johnson committed himself to being a role model and

spokesperson for HIV/AIDS, and has done just that.

For many years we did not have an effective drug for treating

HIV/AIDS Now we have many drugs to help fight HIV/AIDS.

Including antiretroviral drugs, which is a combination of multiple

drugs to work together to help slow down and control the effects of

HIV. As of 2001 there were 36 million people living with HIV/AIDS.

It has effected a wide spread of people, heterosexual, homosexual,

men, women, and even children. Most misconceptions about

HIV/AIDS are put to rest as schools teach about HIV/AIDS. With a

well informed public precautions can be taken to prevent the

spread of HIV/AIDS and early signs can be detected and measures

can be taken to treat infected patience. Just as technology has

progressed so has our ways of handling aids.

Years ago to be diagnosed with AIDS was practically a death

sentence. Now its a perfectly treatable and preventable disease.

We now educate avidly about HIV/AIDS and test possible victims.

Anyone could contact HIV/AIDS, about 5% of Americans have

HIV/AIDS and statics show that 20% dont know they have


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HIV/AIDS. While we as a society are learning to deal with

HIV/AIDS we still have room to improve. Only about 40% of

Americans have been tested, while we would like to lower the

number of people infected, we also need to raise the number of

people tested. Because if someone knows they are positive they

can help to not spread HIV/AIDS.


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Citation

"History of aids: 1987-1992."Averting hiv and aids. AVERT, n.d.

Web. 29 march 2012. .

"HIV among African Americans." Centers for disease control and

prevention. Centers for Disease Control, 2012. Web. 29 march

2012. .

McNabb, Julien. "Magic Johnson. biography." bio. true story.

A&E Television Networks, 2011. Web. 29 march 2012.

.

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AIDS Then and Now Essay