Pace Paw Print

Media Credit: cdc.gov

Media Credit: cdc.gov "Based on data from 33 states with long-term, confidential name-based HIV reporting."

25 years after the discovery of HIV, more than one million people are living with it in the United States, according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC). About a quarter of these people have not been diagnosed, and consequently are unaware that they are living with the virus. WebMD further reports that across the world, the numbers rise to about 40 million. This deadly virus is spreading because of people's lack of awareness and education about the virus.

While many students are awake to the reality of HIV/AIDS, others are not. What is known, however, is that HIV causes AIDS, and at this time will continue to do so because there is still no cure. One reason there is no cure is because HIV is able to hide inside infected chromosomes in the body. When hidden, it is shielded from the immune system. In addition, there are two types of HIV with many different subtypes and strains. As a result, there is a possibility of being infected with more than one type of HIV.

Even though there is no definitive cure for HIV, it is manageable with the new drugs that are on the market. These drugs work by protecting the body's immune system, along with other functions. Once the immune system is destroyed, it is difficult to fight off the virus, infections, and possible cancers. Since the introduction of anti-HIV drugs, the time it takes to contract AIDS is estimated to be approximately ten years or more. However, this depends on many factors, as everyone is different.

Researchers do not have a definite cause on how the CD4 T-cells, (which are defined as "white blood cells that orchestrate the immune response, signaling other cells in the immune system to perform their special functions" by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIADH)), of the immune system are affected, but they have formulated many possibilities. According to NIADH, the possibilities include:

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"Direct cell killing" *

"Apoptosis", or "cell suicide" which occurs when infected cells' functions are distorted. This may also occur in unaffected cells. *

"Innocent bystanders" which entails that the HIV virus attaches itself to healthy cells. The immune system then destroys these cells because of the presence of the HIV virus. This also occurs if there are any HIV particles or fragments on the healthy cell. *

"Anergy", which involves inactivated CD4 T-cells. CD4 T-cells are turned off from signals from the HIV. When these cells are turned off, they are obviously unable to respond to damage caused by this virus. *

"Precursor cell damage." These cells are not able to regenerate, causing further immune suppression.

Knowing the way HIV is spread may help reduce the rate in which people are infected. It is spread from infected semen or vaginal secretions, contact with infected blood, sharing needles with those infected, and childbirth. The virus is not spread through informal contact such as sharing drinks, clean towels, or telephones.

As researchers had found, The HIV virus affects more black people than any other racial group. As of 2005, the CDC provided many interesting statistics on how several races and ethnic groups were affected. Blacks accounted for 50 percent of AIDS cases diagnosed in the U.S. in 2005, and made up 42% of all cases overall. AIDS diagnoses were 23 times higher in black women than in white women, and eight times higher in black men than in white men.

Although, more black people are affected with the virus, it is safe to say that the virus knows no race; anyone can be infected.

Education and responsibility are important tools that student's possess. Using these tools helps prevent infection. Getting tested is essential once a person has placed themselves at risk, either through unprotected sex, sharing needles, etc.

Testing every six months is necessary because it may take six months for the body to develop recognizable antibodies used for testing. As a result, a test may come back negative if the antibodies have not yet developed.

Knowledge is power. Knowing if infected is a crucial step in prevention of spreading. To find out where to go in your area for testing, visit www.hivtesting.org.

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