Essay/Term paper: Aids: myths and facts

Essay, term paper, research paper:  Research Papers

AIDS: Myths and Facts


Acquired Deficiency Disease is a deadly disease that has claimed many
lives, both young and old, across our nation and throughout the world. Due to
the lack of education concerning this disease, many myths as to how AIDS is
contracted is spread. Contrary to what people believe, there are many
precautions that can be taken to to avoid becoming infected. Furthermore,
people who are already infected by the HIV virus need not suffer alone. The
purpose of this paper is to point out some of the myths concerning AIDS, to
provide information regarding some of the precautions that can be taken to
prevent contracting AIDS, and to present some places that AID victims can go for
help.

First, I will try to present some of the myths and some of the actual
facts surrounding AIDS. Some tend to believe that it is spread by kissing,
touching toilet seats, and even that it is spread by mosquitoes. AIDS has also
been labeled the disease of homosexual men. These are all false beliefs,proven
through many scientific studies. Hemophiliacs have contracted AIDS, after
having been giving transfusions of blood which was contaminated with the HIV
virus. Drug addicts have been infected through the intravenous injection of
drugs with "second hand" or dirty needles used by someone who carried the HIV
virus. Prostitutes contract and spread AIDS through sexual activity with
several different partners without knowing their partners' sexual history. This
in turn, leads to the spread of the disease throughout the heterosexual
community. Innocent infants are victims of the disease, born by mothers who are
infected with AIDS. It is, of course, true that homosexuals do spread the
disease. However, to label AIDS a "gay disease" is nothing less than ludicrous.


There are certain precautions that can be taken to control or prevent
the spread of AIDS. For those who are sexually active, safe sex should be a
must. The use of a condom, knowing one's sexual partner's background and the
limiting the number of different partners can greatly deter the spread of AIDS.
Abstinence from sexual activity is a sure prevention. Fidelity to one's sexual
partner can be of great importance. Many innocent wives, husbands, and their
unborn children have been victimized by AIDS, contracted from his or her partner
who was unfaithful- often, or only once.

The best prevention against AIDS among drug users is "just say no,"
otherwise the use of sterile needles should certainly be practiced.

Because of our lack of education on the subject of AIDS, victims often feel
alone, helpless, rejected, and that there is no place to go for help. There are,
however, several sources of assistance. Among these are several AIDS hotlines
to call. Also, there is the Aids Task Force, United Centers for Disease Control,
and many hospitals and medical centers which have facilities for testing and
treatment of AIDS.

An aspect of the effect of AIDS, which may not have been considered by
many is the derogatory situation which could, and is already occurring within
the health care profession and it's conception of the disease. A combination of
incompetence, greed, a natural desire for job security, intolerance for
divergent thought - a combination of the worst corporate values - and a
situation develops in which an entire aspect of the medical establishment can
divert from humanitarian purpose and become just a business, more concerned with
the financial exploitation of AIDS victims than with their care or with finding
a cure for the disease.

Hopefully, this paper will have served the purpose for which it was
written. To enlighten the reader about some myths, the precautions against AIDS,
and a few sources of the information and assistance for its victims. While this
short essay only skims the surface of the depth of this serious disease and
deadly disease, perhaps it will, in some way be of value in its intended purpose.
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