Society has come a long way in its understanding of AIDS. Initially, it was thought that AIDS was a gay disease, or the disease of intravenous drug users. It was once believed that one could easily tell a person’s status by looking at them. Society is more informed than it has ever been and even though progress has been made, there’s so much more that can be done. There are still far too many new AIDS cases emerging each year.
The CDC states that in 2007, 468,578 people were living in the US with this disease. AIDS was responsible for 2 million deaths in 2007 and 2008. According to US AID, 5,500 people die from AIDS every day. By 2010, it is expected that 25 million children will have lost a parent to HIV/AIDS. The statistics are grim, but the medical community has made considerable progress in AIDS research. The medical community has been unable to find a cure for the disease, but progress has been made in extending the lifespan of those living with the disease.
The medical community has been successful in identifying treatments that can prolong the lives of those infected with the disease. Many are able to live longer and enjoy a higher quality of life as a result of such efforts. According to Robert Hogg, Ph.D of the British Columbia Center for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, the life expectancy for a 20-year-old HIV patient on cART increased from 36.1 years in 1996-1999 to 49.4 years in 2003-2005. Americans must understand that the medical community can only do so much and that individuals must be prepared to play an active role in reducing the spread of HIV/AIDS.
There are two things that every individual can do to reduce the spread of AIDS. All sexually active people should be getting tested. It’s imperative that individuals know their status at all times. The only way one can be certain of their status is to get tested regularly. The test can be done in a matter of minutes via a blood or saliva sample. In a matter of hours, one can know his/her status. Individuals can also help reduce the spread of AIDS through practicing safe sex. One study shows that using a latex condom to prevent transmission of HIV is more than 10,000 times safer than having sex unprotected.
Americans are more informed than they have ever been about this disease. Last year, 2.7 million people became infected with this disease. As the medical community works toward a cure, individuals can take person responsibility for their health by knowing their status and practicing safe sex.
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