. One anti-retroviral drug Azidothymidine (AZT) inhibits the action of reverse transcriptase, allowing the virus to have the inability to produce DNA from the host cell’s DNA (Fauci, 2003). Unfortunately, HIV mutates rapidly and incorrectly resulting in resistance to AZT. Protease inhibitors combined with other effective drugs have been more effective in prolonging the lives of infected patients. The inhibitors block the viral enzyme protease, resulting in viral copies that cannot destroy/infect new cells (Fauci, 2003). These combination treatments decline AIDs incidence and mortality in the U.S. Although many medications are presented to infected patients, there’s still no cure for HIV and no vaccine against the virus (Kates, 2011). Berg (2010)
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Another downfall is that most treatments are not effective for everyone, for the patients could have severe side effects (Kates, 2011). Many drugs are presented, but people in many parts of the world cannot afford these expensive treatments. Kates (2011) states that access to medications is critical, especially for individuals with HIV/AIDS. These drugs can be very expensive for many individuals question the policymakers about lowering the prices. Lowering the prices of these medications would present a higher average of infected patients who are healthier and living. Over 750,000 meet the criteria for being offered highly active antiretroviral therapy; yet, only 200,000 participate. Reasons for limited use includes lack of drug resistance, awareness of infection, physician to initiate treatment, etc. James (2001) states that many lack adequate medical insurance or the financial resources to afford such treatments. Competing with financial demands are also associated with less active or reduced antiretroviral use (James, 2001). Thus, the AIDS epidemics continues to strive. HIV/ADIS affects ethnic and racial …show more content…
Statistics show that people of color represent the majority living with AIDS (62%) as well as presenting new HIV infections (74%) (Kates, 2011). The increasing concentration of the epidemic among minority Americans is due to many factors: stigma associated with homosexuality, social inequalities related to income, etc. Kates (2011) highly stresses that obtaining more information about the views of these factors is essential to having a better understanding of why these things occur. Once we learn or access more information of the causes, the U.S. will be more prepared in handling the
Another downfall is that most treatments are not effective for everyone, for the patients could have severe side effects (Kates, 2011). Many drugs are presented, but people in many parts of the world cannot afford these expensive treatments. Kates (2011) states that access to medications is critical, especially for individuals with HIV/AIDS. These drugs can be very expensive for many individuals question the policymakers about lowering the prices. Lowering the prices of these medications would present a higher average of infected patients who are healthier and living. Over 750,000 meet the criteria for being offered highly active antiretroviral therapy; yet, only 200,000 participate. Reasons for limited use includes lack of drug resistance, awareness of infection, physician to initiate treatment, etc. James (2001) states that many lack adequate medical insurance or the financial resources to afford such treatments. Competing with financial demands are also associated with less active or reduced antiretroviral use (James, 2001). Thus, the AIDS epidemics continues to strive. HIV/ADIS affects ethnic and racial …show more content…
Statistics show that people of color represent the majority living with AIDS (62%) as well as presenting new HIV infections (74%) (Kates, 2011). The increasing concentration of the epidemic among minority Americans is due to many factors: stigma associated with homosexuality, social inequalities related to income, etc. Kates (2011) highly stresses that obtaining more information about the views of these factors is essential to having a better understanding of why these things occur. Once we learn or access more information of the causes, the U.S. will be more prepared in handling the