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The Effects of HIV and AIDS in Africa

HIV and AIDS have hit Africa the hardest of any other region in the world. At the end of 2007, there were an estimated 22.5 million people living with this insidious disease. Sadly, another 1.7 million additional people contracted the disease during that same year. The statistics only get worse. Deaths due to AIDS in 2007 were estimated to be around 1.6 million in this region alone. Other victims are the children who were orphaned because of AIDS deaths. The number of these children has reached a staggering 11 million.

It has become increasingly clear that HIV and AIDS have reached crisis status in many African countries, as indicated by the rising count of new victims everyday. With no real preventive measures, treatment, and care efforts in place, this situation is only going to worsen over time. The death counts will go even higher, making the impact of this disease felt in all sectors of life in Africa.

AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. The word acquired simply means that you can become infected with it. Immune deficiency is having a weakness in the body's immune system. Syndrome is a group of health problems that make up a disease. AIDS is caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus, or HIV. Should you become infected with HIV your immune system will attempt to make antibodies, or special molecules, to fight the infection. There is a window of approximately 3 weeks to 2 months for your body to start producing antibodies to the virus. Therefore, if you are concerned about exposure, it is suggested that you wait 2 months before getting a blood test. HIV is not the same thing as having full blown AIDS. Many people now live for years with the virus if they have the proper treatment. Without it, HIV will continue to slowly wear down the immune system, opening the door for opportunist infections that cannot be effectively combated.

Although unprotected sexual intercourse is the most well known culprit, other ways to get HIV or AIDS is by sharing a needle with an infected person, or being born from an infected mother. A nursing baby can also contract AIDS through an infected mother's breast milk. There are some reported cases of getting HIV through kissing, but this is rare.

HIV and AIDS have a profound effect on the families of victims. Many families lose their income if the one who earns it becomes infected. Other families suffer from sacrificing jobs in order to stay home and care for the sick family member.

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