Africa and HIV/AIDS: The Lost Children of Africa.



Africa and HIV/AIDS: The Lost Children of Africa.

Introduction

Much of the United States population might not necessarily experience the scourge of HIV/AIDS in their lives. Much have been heard through newspapers and media coverage regarding the new drug release in the US market that helps lengthen a person's life who is infected by the disease. We would see more such evidence on late night or early morning featured infomercials spreading the word for helping children affected in Africa by contagious HIV. We know the intensity of its harm that it could do which is why we have been adopting preventative measures to avoid its spreading. The case in Africa is opposite of what we see in many other countries, barely anyone goes through the life of not experiencing HIV/AIDS epidemic. The affects of the disease have caused numerous children to become orphanage and millions lost their lives that were stained by the disease, this took a start when the very first case was recognized in 1983 (Akukwe, 2003). Women are more vulnerable to this virus and constricting it twice compared to men; even the virus affects are more inclined in children as well. Mothers usually pass on this disease when giving birth to a child and when they are in their womb. The spreading distress of the epidemic and its impact has not been able to confine itself to the walls of health sector, but to economy and house hold sector as well and the reasons for death are usually subjected to illness or death. Immediate action is compulsory in Africa's current condition which has not been able to suppress the increasing rates of infection dispersal and now it is becoming a serious concern for the people of Africa.

Discussion

What are AIDS and HIV?

HIV basically destroys the immune system of a human being which makes the person vulnerable to infections and diseases, this virus is also known as immunodeficiency virus. A weak or under protected defence system can never protect a person. This virus takes over the body cells by reproducing itself and by the time it has destroyed most of the CD4 cells of the body, then the defence system is not able to fight against external diseases (Andrews et.al, 2006)

This ultimately leads to AIDS because immunodeficiency syndrome of HIV infection is carried on by AIDS on more serious and severe final stage. This puts patients in the state of opportunistic infections when their body is not able to fight back certain diseases due to poor immune system.

Africa's History on HIV/AIDS

The initial reports were reported in 1983 from Tanzania, Rwanda and Uganda which contained an overview about HIV/AIDS conditions in regions of Africa. Most African countries were spontaneously reporting the situation to the World Health Organization (WHO) by mid 1980's and since then the situation in Africa's has radically changed over the years and the affects of virus have gone beyond all predictions (Ankrah, 1993).

The African region “Sub-Saharan Africa” holds up more than half ...