Aids

AIDS/HIV - Worldwide Pandemic

Acquired immune deficiency syndrome, also known as AIDS, is a disease effecting the human immune system which is triggered from human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). AIDS is usually transfered through bodily fluids, such as blood, as well as contaminated hypodermic needles. AIDS is now known as a pandemic. An estimated 33.2 million people live with the disease worlds in 2007. It has also killed approximately 2.1 million people, which includes 330,000 children. A shocking three quarters of these numbers taking place in sub-Saharan Africa. Research has shown that HIV originated in west-central Africa during the late nineteenth or early twentieth century. When infected with AIDS the common symptoms are fevers, sweats, swollen glands, chills, weakness, and weight loss. Around 90% of newly infected children are babies with mothers with HIV. They get it during the pregnancy, labour, or through their mother's breast milk. About half the people who are infected with HIV get it before they turn 25. Also, AIDS is the second most common cause of death for people between the ages of 20-24. By the end of 2007, the pandemic had caused the death of 15 million orphans. The orphans being under the age of 18 and have either one parent or both parents to AIDS. This causes them to be more likely of HIV infection and poverty. They are often forced abandon education and look for work, and in most cases look after younger siblings. There are drugs and medical assistance that can be acquired to slow down the disease, there is currently no cure available.

There are over 50 organizations, their only purpose is to help people with AIDS, in Canada alone. Some of the organizations in British Columbia are:

1. AIDS Network Kootenay Boundary Outreach and Support Society

2. British Columbia Persons With