The Outbreak of the HIV Virus, AIDS in 1980s

Who would have ever thought that a disease, possibly brought to America by give African monkeys, would affect the country forever? This is exactly what happened in the late nineteenth century when the Acquired repellent Deficiency Syndrome ( back up) was introduced to America. The unpredictable epidemic caused a huge outrage for years to come. The bang of the HIV computer computer virus, back up, in the early 1980s resulted in medical research, public misconceptions, and ultimately growing aw beness. Appearing first still in homo informal men, AIDS was an unfamiliar virus to the entire United States.Reports of unknown and unexplainable symptoms caused such(prenominal) confusion among patients and even doctors. In 1981, the first reports explained that 41 homosexual men in the San Fransisco area had a rare and often rapidly fatal form of cancer (Altman n. p. ). After years of researching these cases and millions of others appearing posterior in the decade, scientists discover ed that it was not cancer they were dealing with.They called it HIV (Human Immune Virus) which leads to AIDS (Acquired Immune want Syndrome) that rogressively destroys the bodys ability to fight transmission systems and certain cancers (ARIC n. p. ). With minimal research there was nothing to ab initio combat the virus but, thanks to time and funding, there were some drugs that seemed to help stop the spread of the virus in is body. These anti-retroviral drugs still dont constitute as cures for the virus, but have definitely helped and continue to help patients wear longer (ARIC n. p. ). Since a vaccine to evoke an immune system response that will prevent infection or disease development still has not been found, other treatments have been tested.Accupuncture, stress management, hypnosis, exercise, good nutrition, and an general positive 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 many people living with it by safekeeping 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 being happy have kept him live(a) 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 specie continued to search for a cure or even an explanation of HIV/AIDS for cardinal decades because like the b lack plague, AIDS has killed off millions of people in a small time. Also like the black plague did, AIDS carried with it a long string of misconceptions. In the centerfield Ages anyone carrying the black plague was to be avoided. Similarly, the public would often avoid people with AIDS.There were fabrications that AIDS could be caught by another human being from sneezing, cough ing, hugging, kissing or even any casual cutaneous senses so, people stayed away from those who were septic 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 assumed that only gay men could be affected. 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 air transfusions were reported followed by blacks, Hispanics, lesbians, straight women and finally white, heterosexual, males. Still everyone said It cant happen to me, until it did (Fried speech). This assurance that AIDS only affected few amounts of people and only minorities was the basis of all misconceptions about that virus. lot did not believe the virus could have any impact on their lives but, it did impact everyones live s directly and or indirectly.Now that AIDS is the second leading cause of death in the United States among people healed 25 to 44 (ARIC n. p. ), the misconceptions have been proven to be false. Although it was statistically correct 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 about 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 simple search on http//www. yahoo. com came up with 164 category matches, 1,206 web site matches, and 237,000 web page matches. This means that HIV/AIDS appears at least 238,370 mult iplication on th e world wide web and it shows that AIDS in an important portion of modern life.Not only are people becoming sensible 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 spreading HIV. In this way HIV/AIDS had a positive affect on the country. People are aware of the facts and probably make better 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 blessings that HIV/AIDS has brought me is the abundance of love. . . and perhaps that is true. Pertaining to the eighties and the early on set of the virus, AIDS caused much much commotion than love. However, every cloud has a silver lining and the hysteria has finally cleared up some myths. It has opened up the public to not only HIV/AIDS awareness, but sexual cognizance as well.