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HIV AIDS - The Silent Killer

On a Sunday afternoon, somewhere in a rural neighbourhood in South Africa, a couple of kids are playing soccer on a dusty soccer field. These children are dirty, their clothes are torn and they are generally skinny and almost certainly underfed. When the sun starts to set the children decide to call it a day and head home to their dilapidated hut, constructed of cardboard and a couple of zinc boards. When the oldest of the children, a timid 10 year old girl heads to the kitchen you finally realize that these poor children are living on their own� orphans because of the killer known as HIV AIDS.

AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) is a condition where the human immune system is attacked and basically rendered defenceless by the HIV virus, or the human immunodeficiency virus. AIDS sufferers are therefore at risk of contracting infections or other illnesses and since their immune systems are not able to fight the infections, they oftentimes lose the battle with life.

HIV AIDS is a definite reality in South Africa. Many homes are left without moms or dads and young children are left to survive on their own as a result of this disease. Unfortunately, HIV AIDS is highly contagious and the virus can be spread in many different ways. One of the most common ways is when a mother with HIV AIDS transmits the virus to her baby during pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding. Other ways include contact between a HIV AIDS sufferer and direct contact with another individual's bloodstream (for example by something as simple as a cut on the finger).

About two years ago, there was an estimated 33.3 million people worldwide living with HIV AIDS. This number increases on a yearly basis with as many as 2.6 million new cases each and every year. The worst thing about HIV AIDS is definitely the fact that there is no proven cure for the disease yet. There are a number of drugs on the market which can aid in slowing the course of the sickness, but these expensive treatments cannot cure the disease. For this reason, prevention is much better than cure and many countries have special anti-AIDS and awareness campaigns. The red AIDS ribbon has subsequently become a solidarity symbol showing support for people living with this disease.

As mentioned, the HIV virus breaks down the human immune system and AIDS sufferers might suffer with various infections such as meningitis, retinitis, pneumonia and chronic diarrhoea, only to mention a few. In healthy individuals, the immune system can eliminate the causes of the above mentioned infections, but unfortunately the HIV virus renders the immune system useless and people suffering with this disease have no chance of long and healthy life!

The scary fact is that many individuals are not even aware of the fact that they have been infected with HIV! An alarmingly small percentage of individuals have had themselves tested according to recent studies! A quick blood test is all that is required - have yourself tested without delay, it is important to know your HIV status!