Reducing the Incidence of HIV/AIDs infection rate

This research paper evaluates the methods that have been put in place to reduce the incidence of HIV/AIDs infection rate among MSM living in Atlanta. It starts by giving a background of how the disease started and how it has been affecting the population. It then looks at the different methods that have been tried out in order to reduce the incidence of HIV/AIDs and finally makes some recommendations on what needs to be done in order to achieve this goal.

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a Lentivirus (a subgroup of retrovirus) that causes HIV infection and over time acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). AIDS is a condition in humans in which progressive failure of the immune system allows life-threatening opportunistic infections and cancers to thrive. Without treatment, average survival time after infection with HIV is estimated to be 9 to 11 years, depending on the HIV subtype. In developed countries, this is reduced to around 6 years due to advances in antiretroviral therapy (ART).

HIV is transmitted via direct contact of a mucous membrane or the bloodstream with a body fluid containing HIV, such as blood, semen, vaginal fluid, preseminal fluid, and breast milk. This transmission can come from needle-sharing during intravenous drug use, unprotected sexual intercourse (including anal and oral sex), contaminated blood transfusions and hypodermic needles. It can also be passed from mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding. People can also be infected with HIV by sharing infected needles, syringes or other sharp instruments.

The first known case of HIV in a human was in Kinshasa, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, in 1959 (and possibly as early as 1957). The disease had been endemic among African non-human primates for centuries and had crossed the species barrier to infect humans on several occasions before it became permanently established in human populations. These cross-species transmissions probably occurred when hunter-gatherers came into contact with the blood of large animals they had killed.

The widespread use of unsterilized needles and syringes during medical procedures is thought to have played a significant role in the rapid spread of HIV/AIDS throughout Africa in the 1970s and 1980s.

Between the years of 2010 and 2016, new HIV infections in the United States fell by 19 percent. However, progress has been uneven. Among gay and bisexual men, African Americans continue to bear the heaviest burden of HIV, with an estimated 5,900 new infections in 2016.

There is no vaccine or cure for AIDS. Treatment consists of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) which can prolong life expectancy significantly while reducing transmission rates.

Novel preventative methods such as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) have also been found to be effective at reducing transmission rates.

The best way to prevent HIV/AIDS is to avoid contact with body fluids that contain the virus. This can be done by using barrier methods such as condoms during sexual intercourse, and not sharing needles or other sharp instruments.

It is also important to get tested for HIV/AIDS regularly, especially if you are at risk of exposure to the virus. Early diagnosis and treatment is essential for prolonging life expectancy and reducing transmission rates.

HIV/AIDS education is also important in reducing the incidence of new infections. It is important to educate people about how the disease is transmitted and how it can be prevented.

In conclusion, the best way to reduce the incidence of HIV/AIDS is to avoid contact with body fluids that contain the virus. This can be done by using barrier methods such as condoms during sexual intercourse, and not sharing needles or other sharp instruments. It is also important to get tested for HIV/AIDS regularly, especially if you are at risk of exposure to the virus. Early diagnosis and treatment is essential for prolonging life expectancy and reducing transmission rates. HIV/AIDS education is also important in reducing the incidence of new infections. It is important to educate people about how the disease is transmitted and how it can be prevented.