The Outcomes of Pandemics: An Analysis on HIV, AIDS, and Ebola
Throughout history the world has constantly been plagued by the spread of infectious diseases. These diseases have eradicated millions of the world’s population, inducing death and suffering of human kind. While the characteristics and effects of each disease have left their own unique imprint in time, the goal for humanity will always remain the same and that is survival. Over the last 100 years two specific illnesses have made a lasting impact on the world, the first being HIV the human immunodeficiency virus and the second being Ebola.
2013 brought on what is considered the most extensive pandemic of the Ebola virus disease which encompassed many countries in western Africa. …show more content…
HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) strikes the human immune system, slowly and gradually destroying its ability to function. As the body’s immune system becomes weaker, the individual is left vulnerable to other infections and illnesses rendering the person unable to fight them off. This final stage is called the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome more commonly referred to as AIDS. Without treatment the virus can kill the host in in 9 - 11 years. During the final stage of HIV, when an individual develops Aids, without treatment their life expectancy is anywhere from 6 months up to 3 years if they are fortunate. The virus itself is not what kills humans, it is the diseases and cancers that kill off the individual. Similar to Ebola, scientists have not been able to identify a concrete origin of HIV nor any cure. It is believed that primates such as chimpanzees were carriers of their own version of the virus which was transmitted to humans via bush meat. Bush meat is meat from wild animals and particularly in this instance refers to humans hunting chimpanzees for meat which ultimately resulted in them getting HIV from the infected blood. Like Ebola, it is speculated to have originated in Africa as well. Coincidentally, Africa has the most cases of HIV and Aids in the world as well as the most casualties from the illness than any other region of the world. HIV has become a worldwide pandemic due to it being passed on from one individual to another through sexual activity. Other methods include contact with an infected individuals blood or other bodily fluids. Although there is no vaccine, there is treatment available to slow down the progression of the disease. The most common method is through anti-viral therapy which involves taking regular pills and
Throughout history the world has constantly been plagued by the spread of infectious diseases. These diseases have eradicated millions of the world’s population, inducing death and suffering of human kind. While the characteristics and effects of each disease have left their own unique imprint in time, the goal for humanity will always remain the same and that is survival. Over the last 100 years two specific illnesses have made a lasting impact on the world, the first being HIV the human immunodeficiency virus and the second being Ebola.
2013 brought on what is considered the most extensive pandemic of the Ebola virus disease which encompassed many countries in western Africa. …show more content…
HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) strikes the human immune system, slowly and gradually destroying its ability to function. As the body’s immune system becomes weaker, the individual is left vulnerable to other infections and illnesses rendering the person unable to fight them off. This final stage is called the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome more commonly referred to as AIDS. Without treatment the virus can kill the host in in 9 - 11 years. During the final stage of HIV, when an individual develops Aids, without treatment their life expectancy is anywhere from 6 months up to 3 years if they are fortunate. The virus itself is not what kills humans, it is the diseases and cancers that kill off the individual. Similar to Ebola, scientists have not been able to identify a concrete origin of HIV nor any cure. It is believed that primates such as chimpanzees were carriers of their own version of the virus which was transmitted to humans via bush meat. Bush meat is meat from wild animals and particularly in this instance refers to humans hunting chimpanzees for meat which ultimately resulted in them getting HIV from the infected blood. Like Ebola, it is speculated to have originated in Africa as well. Coincidentally, Africa has the most cases of HIV and Aids in the world as well as the most casualties from the illness than any other region of the world. HIV has become a worldwide pandemic due to it being passed on from one individual to another through sexual activity. Other methods include contact with an infected individuals blood or other bodily fluids. Although there is no vaccine, there is treatment available to slow down the progression of the disease. The most common method is through anti-viral therapy which involves taking regular pills and