The Outbreak of the HIV Virus, AIDS in 1980s

Who would have ever vista that a disease, possibly brought to America by septic African monkeys, would disturb the country forever? This is exactly what happened in the late nineteenth century when the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) was introduced to America. The unpredictable epidemic caused a huge demoralise for age to come. The bang of the human immunodeficiency virus virus, help, in the early 1980s resulted in medical research, public misconceptions, and ultimately growing aw areness. Appearing prototypic unaccompanied in homosexual men, support was an unfamiliar virus to the entire unify States.Reports of unknown and unexplainable symptoms caused much confusion among patients and even doctors. In 1981, the first reports explained that 41 homosexual men in the San Fransisco area had a archaic and often rapidly fatal form of cancer (Altman n. p. ). After old age of researching these cases and millions of others appearing la ter in the decade, scientists discovered that it was non cancer they were dealing with.They called it HIV (Human Immune Virus) which leads to help (Acquired Immune deficiency Syndrome) that rogressively destroys the bodys ability to fight infections and certain cancers (ARIC n. p. ). With minimal research there was energy to initially combat the virus save, thanks to time and funding, there were whatever medicines that seemed to help stop the spread of the virus in ones body. These anti-retroviral drugs inactive dont make up as repossesss for the virus, but have definitely helped and continue to help patients experience longer (ARIC n. p. ). Since a vaccine to evoke an immune system receipt that leave behind prevent infection or disease development compose has not been found, other treatments have been tested.Accupuncture, stress management, hypnosis, exercise, good nutrition, and an overall overbearing attitude all seem to alleviate symptoms even if they are not proven cures of the virus (Packer 78-88). Although AIDS is a life threatening disease, there were some people living with it by keeping healthy and staying safe. Scott fried had not tried any of the aniviral drugs however, practices such as taking 80 herbs and vitamins a day, staying physically fit, visiting the doctor every three months, and universe happy have kept him alive with the virus for thirteen years (Fried speach).Most victims have not lived as long as he which is why AIDS has lead to some extensive research. Investigators supported by private and public funds continued to search for a cure or even an explanation of HIV/AIDS for two decades because standardised the b lack fire, AIDS has killed off millions of people in a short time. Also akin the black plague did, AIDS carried with it a long string of misconceptions. In the Middle Ages anyone carrying the black plague was to be avoided. Similarly, the public would often avoid people with AIDS.There were fabrication s that AIDS could be caught by another human macrocosm from sneezing, coughing, hugging, kissing or even any casual contact so, people stayed a mien from those who were infected by AIDS. Another lie was that AIDS was caused by something magical or mystical (Taylor 23-24). Though some were overly careful of catching the virus, others were not careful enough. Since the initial outbreak was among gay men it was simply put on that only(prenominal) gay men could be expungeed. Then reports of IV drug users having the disease still seemed to eliminate the chance of the common person being infected.Next, hemophiliacs and people who had had blood transfusions were reported followed by blacks, Hispanics, lesbians, straight women and finally white, heterosexual, males. unagitated everyone said It cant happen to me, until it did (Fried speech). This assumption that AIDS only affected few amounts of people and only minorities was the basis of all misconceptions to the highest degree that virus. People did not believe the virus could have any restore on their lives but, it did impact everyones lives directly and or indirectly. today that AIDS is the number leading cause of death in the United States among people senile 25 to 44 (ARIC n. p. ), the misconceptions have been proven to be false. Although it was statistically ripe that 66% of people infected by AIDS were homosexual males, 24% were IV drug users, and only 4% were heterosexual males or females (Packer 17) it was still a fact that AIDS can affect anyone. After years of research and statistical reports there were finally people relaying these messages to the public.Motivational speakers, like Scott Fried, continue to reach out to teens and adults somewhat AIDS and sex. Information about these subjects can also be found easily, not only at hospitals or doctors offices but in books, magazines, pamphlets, and even on the internet. Conducting a straightforward search on http//www. yahoo. com came up with 164 category matches, 1,206 electronic network site matches, and 237,000 web page matches. This means that HIV/AIDS appears at least 238,370 times on th e world wide web and it shows that AIDS in an important component of modern life.Not only are people fitting aware of the AIDS epidemic, but they are becoming aware of sexuality through learning about AIDS. Before the outbreak of this fatal virus sex was only spoken about discretely. Now even kids are being made aware of the dangers of sex and airing HIV. In this way HIV/AIDS had a positive affect on the country. People are aware of the facts and probably make break dance decisions. Some experts have said that AIDS will remain the way it is now and others predict it growing into a huge epidemic (Taylor 28).hopefully due to this expansion of knowledge and recognition, he AIDS virus will not spread as quickly and infect as many people as it has in the past. HIV positive, homosexual, male, Scott Fried, said, Ironically one of the ble ssings that HIV/AIDS has brought me is the abundance of love. . . and perhaps that is true. Pertaining to the eighties and the early onset of the virus, AIDS caused much more commotion than love. However, every cloud has a gold lining and the hysteria has finally cleared up some myths. It has exposed up the public to not only HIV/AIDS awareness, but sexual cognizance as well.