The Origin and Scope of the Global AIDS

7/31/2019 The Origin and Scope of the Global AIDS

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The human race is always struggling

against natures forces and attemptingto conquer over its ability to harm us

but so far such a victory has been

impossible. One of the most deadlydiseases to attack the human race inthe twentieth century is Acquired

immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).


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The first case was found in England in1959. A young British sailor developed an

illness that was never seen before. Hehad developed skin lesions and gingivitis,but soon he also developed high fever,

fatigue, shortness of breath and weightloss. Sir Robert Platt recorded hisconcerns in the patients chart. He feared

that the human race was now witnessingthe arrival of a new type of viral threat.


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An autopsy was performed and tissue

samples were taken in hope that they

would later be able to understand theenigmatic sickness. The second case

occurred in St. Louis, Missouri 1968. A

fifteen year-old boy was admitted inthe hospital with widespread swelling

where he died a few months later. The

autopsy revealed a form of rare cancer.The doctor froze some tissue and fluid

samples.


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In 1989 research began and the doctors

came to the conclusion that both men

had suffered from AIDS. The reportsuggested that AIDS dated back to the

beginning of the twentieth century. The

scientist traced the reports and theydated back to the 1902 when 7 caseswere recorded in Italy. This was followed

by twenty-two other cases throughoutEurope and the Americans. They were alladult males.


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After reviewing this event it seems likely that

this virus has been among humanity for a very

long time. A very obvious question arise: whydid HIV explode at this certain time? The

precise reason is yet unknown but researchers

believe that the ease of international air

travel, the use of hypodermic needles, bloodtransfusion and the increased sexual freedomare some of the reasons. It is also believed that

the virus may have evolved into a more violentform through natural adaptive processescommon to such organism.


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More cases were reported during the 1980where five young homosexual men had

developed Pneumocystis pneumonia. Onemonth later ten other cases were found,they were all homosexuals. The doctors

were starting to believe that the syndromewas restricted to those of this sexualorientation. This was an erroneousassumption. Many heterosexual men and

women believed that they were not at riskso they engaged in unsafe sex, there by theyexposed themselves to the virus


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Society was very cruel and unsupportive

to those with AIDS. Pregnant women

could transmit the virus to the baby,and in this manner entire families could

be destroyed. In 1983, Dr. Luc

Montagnir and his colleaguesdiscovered the virus that produced

AIDS. A second breakthrough occurred

in 1985 where tests indirectly measuredthe presence of the virus in the

bloodstream.


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In addition drugs have been

produced to slow the virussreproduction in a individuals body,

delaying the onset of symptoms for

months or years. Treatmentsenhancing the longevity and quality

of the life of HIV-infected peoplehave been created.


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To date, nearly 180,000 Americans have beendiagnosed as having symptoms of AIDS, while

up to one million carry the virus without anyobvious symptoms. The Center for DiseaseControl predicts that 40.000 new HIV infections

will occur each coming year in adolescents andadults, along with 2.000 infections innewborns.Over 370,000 cases have been reported

worldwide. It is predicted that in the 1990s theadults infected with HIV will reach the fortymillions. In Western Europe the number of AIDScases is climbing.


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The only thing we can do is hope that the

spread of the virus will ebb at some pointdue either to natural processes or to ourown scientific achievement. It is up to us,as responsible individuals to protect

ourselves and others from contracting thevirus. And if anyone has reason to believethat they might be carrying the virus, they

should consider undergoing a blood testto determine whether you are infected ornot.


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Documents

The Origin and Scope of the Global AIDS