The
Epidemic of AIDS
You’ve felt ill for weeks, or maybe
even months, and today is the day that you’re going to finally figure out
exactly what is attacking your body. Many tests have been conducted, several
vials of blood have been drawn, and your anxiety levels are through the roof
while you’re waiting for the results. The doctor then makes his appearance just
to tell you that you have been diagnosed with a deadly syndrome, AIDS, which
originates from a disease known as HIV. The bearer of bad news then makes his
point to explain your diagnosis as “a
virus that is spread through certain body fluids that attacks the body’s immune
system, specifically the CD4 cells, often called T cells” (“HIV/AIDS” 1).
Running into your ear is the reality that “over time, HIV can destroy so many
of these cells that the body can’t fight off infections and disease” and panic
immediately takes over (1). You realize that you are now a part of a world-wide
epidemic, an epidemic that once affected only men, specifically homosexual men,
but is now affecting a variety of people regardless of age, race, gender, and
sexuality. The epidemic that is consistently growing daily now holds your life
within the palms of its hands. Can we, the people, further prevent the loss of
lives due to AIDS?
AIDS, a disease that was flying
under the radar until the late twentieth century, was first discovered in
America during the year 1981 (“A Timeline of HIV and AIDS” 1). The virus that viciously
attacks an individual’s immune system was brought to the attention of medical
professionals when one gay male after another were being diagnosed with
Pneumocystis Pneumonia (PCP), or Kaposi’s Sarcoma (KS) all throughout the state
of California and sporadically throughout New York (1). It is believed that
there were several popular buildings throughout the cities of San Francisco and
New York City that were referred to as “gay bathhouses”, which were running
undercover to allow homosexuals to interact in sexual activities with one
another. Although these bathhouses were typically for males, there would be
women nights occasionally to allow women to interact in the same activities
with other women. To get into these establishments, the members would have to
pay a set fee. However, the buildings were not used for prostitution, and no
money was exchanged for the sexual acts that occurred. Out of the first 108
reported cases of this PCP/KS outbreak, 99% of the individuals were male, 1% of
the individuals were female, and 94% of the individuals were either bisexual or
gay (1). There were 337 cases revolving around immunodeficiency disorders
within the first year of this newly discovered medical condition, and it was
known that an epidemic was in the works (1). The outbreak that was first
referred to as “gay cancer” was being referred to as “Gay-Related Immune
Deficiency” by the end of the year 1981, and by the end of the year 1982, the
term “AIDS” was first used by the CDC (1). Many healthcare professionals were
beginning to believe that the bathhouses for the homosexuals in San Francisco
and New York City were possibly linked to this newly arising virus, AIDS, which
explained the contraction of infections and sickness that the homosexual men
were reporting. Because of the seemingly large rate of spread, it was declared
by the United Nations that each region of the world had been exposed to at
least one case of HIV/AIDS by the end of 1983 (1).
After
a young male named Ryan White passed away from AIDS at the age of 18 on April 8th
of 1990, a federal funded program was created in his name in hopes of providing
treatment and community-based care for those living with HIV (“A Timeline of
HIV and AIDS” 1). The Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency Act, or the CARE
Act of 1990, is overseen by the HSRA, which is the largest Federal grant
program in the nation that is specifically geared towards HIV/AIDS (1). By
October 31st, 1995, nearly 500,000 cases of AIDS were present in the
United States of America, and the numbers were not looking as if they were
going to slow down in the upcoming years (1). On December 6th of
1995, President Bill Clinton was the first individual in office that held a
White House Conference constructed around the topic of HIV/AIDS to bring more
awareness to the growing problem and to brainstorm prevention ideas if possible
(1).
President
Clinton declared HIV/AIDS as a national security threat on April 30th,
2000 (“A Timeline of HIV and AIDS” 1). Many organizations proposed the idea of
making antiretroviral drugs available to the affected countries that were
underdeveloped and suffering from HIV/AIDS along with the United States of
America. In 2005 this suggestion was made possible as WHO, UNAIDS, the U.S.
Government, and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS worked together to increase the
antiretroviral drug availability throughout the world (1). The use of
antiretroviral drugs in the 2000’s has been used to reach nearly 700,000
individuals that suffer from HIV/AIDS, but it is not capable of ridding this
virus from a person (1). To this day there is no known and guaranteed cure for
HIV/AIDS, but the use of stem cells to cure this dangerous virus is currently
being pondered upon by researchers and medical professionals (California Institute for Regenerative Medicine 1).
AIDS
has a strong social impact in local communities as well as worldwide. In a
local community, the stigma and discrimination against homosexuals that have
been diagnosed with HIV/AIDS runs strong. An individual that suffers from this
immunodeficiency disorder is likely to be shunned by family, friends, and
acquaintances. It is also well known that throughout communities, many patients
with HIV/AIDS are denied fair healthcare which results in limited access to
testing, treatment, and services (“HIV
Stigma and Discrimination.” 1). The stigma around the HIV/AIDS epidemic
is currently present throughout the entire world. The stigma centered around
this virus is different from country to country, but it is true that in each
country, a person with a case of HIV/AIDS is typically looked upon as a minority.
After interviewing victims from 50 plus countries, it was unveiled that one
eighth of HIV/AIDS patients throughout the world do not receive professional
healthcare and are left to fend for themselves (1). These social effects that
this virus has on society and the individuals that are suffering result in
psychological damage, the erosion of personal rights, and fear of appearing
before others in public (1).
AIDS
is a virus that touches the lives of not only your everyday individuals but
several celebrities as well. Earvin Johnson Jr., more commonly referred to as
Magic Johnson, is a retired NBA player of the Los Angeles Lakers that was
diagnosed with HIV, the virus that leads to AIDS, in the year of 1991. The
famous basketball star, although not homosexual, contracted AIDS through the
pursuit of sexual activities with hundreds of women. In an interview with Magic
Johnson on World AIDS Day, he emphasizes the importance of safe sex and gives
tips to the youth in hopes of steering them clear of HIV/AIDS (World AIDS Day –
Magic Johnson Interview – World Bank, 2007). This immunodeficiency disease cost
Magic Johnson his athletic career, but he remained positive towards his
condition and uses his experience to shape the lives of others today. Another
famous individual that struggled with AIDS was Freddie Mercury. The bisexual
lead singer in the well-known band, Queen, was diagnosed with AIDS in the year
of 1987. Mercury was originally engaged to a woman, Mary Austin, but he later
admitted to her that he was becoming interested in men. The Rockstar lifestyle
allowed for Freddie Mercury to hook up with one guy after another to take part
in sexual activities. It is unknown when or where Freddie contracted this virus
or even which partner passed the virus on to him. Freddie Mercury performed up
until AIDS stole his life away, and it was the day before his death when he
presented the horrific news to the public. Mercury kept this secret to keep
those close to him protected from harassment.
Although
there is no definite cure for HIV/AIDS, there are a handful of known solutions
such as effective preventative methods and scientifically explored treatments
that are available. One of the easiest ways to prevent the spread and
contraction of this life altering virus is to utilize condoms for protection
while having sex with a partner. Condoms are typically relied on to prevent the
unplanned conceiving of a child, but they are also effective in preventing the
spread of STI’s and HIV/AIDS. Studies have shown that using a condom during
intercourse, even if it is used inconsistently, has the power to the reduce the
transmission of HIV by 60-70% (“Effectiveness
of Condoms in Preventing HIV Transmission” 1). It is proven through
scientific studies that “…condoms are 90 to 95% effective when used
consistently…” regarding preventing the spread of HIV during intercourse (1).
These statistics indicate that those who use condoms regularly are 10-20 times
less likely to become infected with HIV than those who do not use condoms
regularly when having sex (1).
One
treatment option that is available is antiretroviral therapy, or a combination
of HIV medications, which are used to enhance the lives of those who are living
with HIV/AIDS. The HIV medications prevent the virus from replicating itself
which allows for the person’s immune system to recover and gain the strength to
potentially fight off infection (“HIV Treatment: The Basics Understanding
HIV/AIDS” 1). The main responsibility of antiretroviral therapy is to lower an
infected individuals viral load to an extremely low and undetectable level (1).
If the viral load of an infected individual is low enough, they will have “… no
risk of transmitting HIV to their HIV- negative partner through sex” (1). When
a person first becomes aware of their HIV diagnosis, they should begin taking
the combination of medication to receive the most effective results. Unfortunately,
this treatment is not capable of ridding an individual of the virus, but it can
improve the quality of living for individuals who suffer from the virus.
Another
treatment option that is currently being studied is the use of stem cells to completely
cure a person who lives with HIV/AIDS. In the state of California, a stem cell
initiative has made a trial possible for HIV/AIDS studies which is often
referred to as the Phase ½ trial (“Meet the Only Person to Be Cured of HIV” 1).
The study that is being conducted by the company, Calimmune, requires an extraction
of a few blood stem cells and immune cells from the HIV-positive patient (1).
Once the cells are collected, they are modified outside of the body in a
laboratory to possess two genes that make the cells HIV resistant (1). The hope
is that once the modified cells are re-injected back into the HIV-positive
patient’s body, the cells would be protected from the attacks of the virus
allowing for the patient to continue a normal life with little to no levels of
detectable virus (1). One individual that is referred to as the “Berlin
Patient” has been completely cured of HIV using stem cell treatment which gives
humans hope for an effective HIV cure (1).
Lastly,
individuals in the field of medicine are working to introduce a vaccine that
will protect the future generations from contracting HIV/AIDS. Researchers have
been working on perfecting an effective HIV vaccine since the early 1980’s but
are progressing very slowly in their works (“Developing a Vaccine against HIV
Infection” 1). It is predicted that by the year 2030, an HIV preventative
vaccine will be on the market for consumption by humans (1). The vaccine would
work by training the immune system to respond by producing antibodies if
introduced to a strain of HIV, so it can efficiently attach to the virus and
keep it from attacking other healthy cells (1). Although the possible discovery
of a vaccine that prevents individuals from becoming infected with HIV is
fueling optimism, it is known just as with any other vaccine that there is a
possibility of the vaccine not working on select people, therefore leaving a
gap of opportunity for HIV to still be transmitted (1).
In reality, the HIV/AIDS epidemic
fits Albert Camus’ definition of absurdity. Albert Camus, a French journalist,
playwright, and novelist came up with the philosophical idea of absurdity
through his many famous written works (Simpson 1). Camus’ beliefs were related
solemnly around the thought that life is utterly meaningless, that the universe
is indifferent, and that humans have no greater purpose in the world (1).
Albert Camus lived a life filled with negative thoughts, and he did not believe
in a supernatural being such as God. Albert Camus’ beliefs somewhat relate to
the epidemic of HIV/AIDS. Several of the men and women that are infected with
and live with HIV/AIDS manifest signs of depression and often lose the will to
live because they feel as if they’re leading a meaningless life. Because
HIV/AIDS severely alters the immune systems functionality, those infected
individuals are susceptible to constantly being sick, leading them to often
doubt the powers of God. The stigma around individuals with HIV/AIDS leads to
shame and hopelessness and, therefore, the sick individuals see life as
pointless. Camus’ thoughts on the HIV/AIDS epidemic are unknowable, but based
on his writing and thoughts of absurdity, he would likely see the epidemic as
non-problematic because he already believed that life was meaningless. Camus
would believe that being diagnosed with the virus would not increase or decrease
the meaning of the infected individual’s life. Camus would expect those
suffering from HIV/AIDS to keep living their mediocre life regardless of their
diagnosis because he claims that “… the only courageous and morally valid
response to the Absurd is to continue living – suicide is not an option” (1).
Contradictory
to Camus’ beliefs, individuals suffering from HIV/AIDS should live their
remaining time on Earth to their maximum potential. If an individual is HIV-positive,
they should seek care immediately and begin treatments as soon as possible. In
addition, every individual has the power to reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS. Citizens
of the United States, regardless of whether they are HIV-positive or not,
should advocate safe sex and emphasize the importance of condom use. Through
scientific studies and medical discoveries, there is now hope for those that
are living with this deadly virus.
Works
Cited
“A Timeline of HIV and AIDS.” HIV.gov,
5 Feb. 2019, www.hiv.gov/hiv
basics/overview/history/hiv-and-aids-timeline.
California Institute for Regenerative Medicine. “HIV/AIDS
Fact Sheet.” California's Stem Cell Agency, 26 Mar. 2018, www.cirm.ca.gov/our-progress/disease-information/hivaids-fact-sheet.
“Developing a Vaccine against HIV Infection.” AVERT, 4
Apr. 2019, www.avert.org/professionals/hiv-science/developing-vaccine.
“Effectiveness of Condoms in
Preventing HIV Transmission.” Social Science & Medicine (1982),
U.S. National Library of Medicine, May 1997, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9141163.
“HIV/AIDS.” Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, 31 Oct. 2018, www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/whatishiv.html.
“HIV Stigma and Discrimination.” AVERT, 9 Apr.
2018, www.avert.org/professionals/hiv-
social-issues/stigma-discrimination.
“HIV Treatment: The Basics
Understanding HIV/AIDS.” National Institutes of Health, U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services, 15 Jan. 2019, aidsinfo.nih.gov/understanding-hiv-aids/fact-sheets/21/51/hiv-treatment--the-basics.
“Meet the Only Person to Be Cured of HIV.” Americans For
Cures, 2019,
americansforcures.org/patient_story/tim-brown-hiv-aids-cured-stem-cells/.
Simpson, David. “Albert Camus (1913-1960).” Internet
Encyclopedia of Philosophy, www.iep.utm.edu/camus/.
World AIDS Day - Magic Johnson
Interview - World Bank. YouTube,
YouTube, 4 Dec. 2007, www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiTTLeky2Gs.
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