...HIV Epidemiology HIV Epidemiology For the epidemiology paper I chose to write about HIV. HIV is growing concern in the community and too many people are uneducated about the seriousness of this disease. HIV is terminal illness; it will eventually consume your life at some point. There are treatment options out there but being compliant with the medication regimen is crucial to the maintenance and management of this disease. HIV also known as the Human Immunodeficiency Virus; with HIV the virus replicates and attacks our immune system causing it to go haywire. With the suppression of our immune systems it puts people with HIV at a bigger risk for infection and other common illnesses. People with HIV the common cold can be very critical because their bodies are unable to fight off the virus. The virus attacks our WBC (white blood cells) and they are what are used to fight off infection. The cells that are affected the most are WBC that is called CD4+ cells. If these cells begin to malfunction then the body loses its ability defend itself against infection. HIV is spread when blood, semen, or vaginal fluids from an infected person enter another person's body, usually through sexual contact, from sharing needles when injecting drugs, or from mother to baby during birth (WebMD, 2014). When we deal with patients who have this disease we need to be sure to educate them on the importance of safe sex practices and the importance of refraining from drug use especially when dealing...
Words: 1228 - Pages: 5
...Epidemiology and HIV Jody Houghton Grand Canyon University Concepts in Community and Public Health NRS-427V-0191 Sandra White October 18, 2014 Epidemiology and HIV Human Immunodeficiency Virus, HIV, is a virus that attacks specific cells in the human immune system weakening the body so it cannot fight off infection. HIV is a major public health concern in the United States with an estimated 1.1 million Americans infected, and 1 out of 5 people don’t even know they have it (www.healthypeople.gov). The virus is transmitted by blood or certain body fluids, which must come in contact with mucous membranes of another person for transmission to occur. Currently no cure exists, but with effective interventions the risk of transmission is greatly decreased (www.cdc.gov). HIV affects the CD4, or T cells of the immune system. The disease uses these cells to replicate itself, and in the process destroying the T cells. In turn, the body cannot fight off infections, and AIDS, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome manifests (www.cdc.gov). It is believed that the virus originally was present in chimpanzees in West Africa, and transmitted to humans when the chimpanzees were hunted for their meat as far back as the 1800’s (www.cdc.gov). The early signs of the virus are like many other viruses, fever, swollen glands, sore throat, rash, fatigue, muscle and joint pain, and headache (www.aids.gov).Testing is the only way to know for sure if you have the virus. Home testing kits are now...
Words: 1435 - Pages: 6
...Epidemiology Grand Canyon University Concepts in Community and Public Health NRS-427V Glenda Deahl September 14, 2014 Epidemiology HIV, or human immunodeficiency virus, is a life threatening pandemic that affects humans on a global scale. The virus has claimed the lives of millions worldwide. HIV is primarily transmitted through unprotected sexual intercourse; however it can be spread by any contact of bodily fluid coming in contact with the mucous membranes of another person. Some examples of these fluids include semen, blood, pre-seminal fluid, rectal fluids, vaginal fluids, and breast milk (AIDS.GOV, 2014). While bodily fluids are the primary mode of transmission, there are other modes that the virus can be transmitted which include injection drug use, pregnancy or childbirth, occupational exposure, and blood transfusions. Once HIV is in the body, it begins to destroy CD4+ cells, which are white blood cells that help the body fight infection and disease (WebMD, 2013). While there are no specific symptoms that a person with HIV will present with, typically the person will develop flu-like symptoms within a month or two after the virus has entered the body. Some of these symptoms may include fever, headache, muscle cramps, rash, chills, sore throat, mouth or genital ulcers, swollen lymph nodes, night sweats, and diarrhea (Mayo Clinic, 2014). These symptoms can last from a few weeks to many months. The virus has four phases of infection that it progresses through throughout...
Words: 1396 - Pages: 6
...HIV Epidemiology J**** A******* Grand Canyon University: NRS-427V August 2, 2014 HIV Epidemiology Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a virus spread through body fluids that affects specific cells of the immune system, called CD4 cells, or T cells. Over time, HIV can destroy so many of these cells that the body can’t fight off infections and disease (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 2015). HIV is spread when certain body fluids from an infected HIV individual: blood, semen (cum), pre-seminal fluid (pre-cum), rectal fluids, vaginal fluids, and breast milk; are transmitted through a mucous membrane or damaged tissue or be directly injected into the bloodstream. It is only under these specific conditions that HIV can be transmitted, it is not spread from causal contact with an infected individual. Early signs and symptoms include: fever, swollen lymph glands, sore throat, headache, malaise, nausea, muscle and joint pain, diarrhea, and a diffuse rash. In the progression of HIV, these symptoms worsen and additional symptoms include: localized infections, lymphadenopathy, nervous system manifestations, and the presence of oropharyngeal candidiasis (thrush). Other infections that can also occur include: shingles, persistent vaginal candida infections, outbreaks of oral or genital herpes, bacterial infections, and Kaposi sarcoma (KS). The biggest complication of HIV is the progression of the infection to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Numerous...
Words: 1435 - Pages: 6
...Epidemiology: HIV Tomekia L. Dinham, RN Grand Canyon University Concepts in Community and Public Health NRS-427v Dr. A. Cline-Owens, RN, Ph.D. December 14, 2015 Epidemiology: HIV Epidemiology is the science of studying the history, causes and treatment of diseases and infections. Epidemiological information is used by nurses to identify high risk populations with preventable health conditions (Maurer & Smith, 2013). Human Immunodeficiency Virus, also referred to as HIV, is a preventable sexually transmitted disease that requires persistent monitoring by healthcare professionals. Community health nurses play a pivotal role in supporting efforts against HIV by understanding and exploring the epidemiology of HIV through collecting, reporting and analyzing data related to the determinants of health. Simply put, HIV is a virus that attacks a person’s immune system. It specifically affects CD4 cells which are also called T cells. These cells are what the body uses for an immune response. HIV destroys the T cells that fight infection leaving the patient susceptible to immune system compromise. This results in the patient being open to opportunistic infections that lead to Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome. AIDS, as it is commonly referred as, is a progression of HIV after the CD4 count falls to 200 or less (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2015). HIV is transmitted by bodily fluids such as blood, semen, breastmilk, and vaginal secretions. Anal sex carries...
Words: 1554 - Pages: 7
...HIV Epidemiology Patricia Mayer Grand Canyon University NRS 427V Sarah Hathcock April 25, 2015 HIV Epidemiology Human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV, is a virus that can lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, or AIDS. The body is not able to rid itself of the human immunodeficiency virus, so once a person has the virus, they have it for life (Center for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2015). Currently there is no safe or effective cure for HIV, but with the proper medical care, it can be controlled and drastically prolong the life of someone infected with HIV which can also lower their chances of infecting others with the virus. The virus attacks the T cells in the body and over time it can do away with so many of the cells that the body cannot fight off infections or diseases. It is at that point when HIV infections becomes AIDS (CDC, 2015). Causes and Symptoms HIV is believed to originally be caused by coming into contact with the blood of infected chimps and monkeys in Africa during butchering and cooking, which allowed the cross contamination into humans. HIV is a slow virus, which means it could take anywhere for five to ten years after infection for the symptoms to appear (Meyer & Adler, 2014). There are three stages of HIV and the person can transmit the virus during any stage. The first stage is acute infection it happens two to four weeks after infection with HIV, the person will have flu-like symptoms, during this stage large amounts of...
Words: 1360 - Pages: 6
...HIV Epidemiology John Lamb Grand Canyon University Concepts in Community and Public Health NRS-427V June 3, 2014 HIV Epidemiology The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a virus that is similar to other types of viruses, such as the common cold or the influenza virus, but there is one aspect that is very different. A person’s body is usually able to take care of common viruses within a few weeks. With HIV, the body cannot do this; the immune system can't get rid of it. There is no cure, meaning that once you have it, it’s there for life. HIV is a persistent problem for the United States (US) and progress has been made in prevention and treatment of HIV, there is still much work and teaching to do (AIDS.gov, 2014). HIV can be spread by sexual contact that includes any exchange of bodily fluids. It can also pass through the blood and can be transmitted with a needle stick, sharing needle, mother to fetus, breast milk or in the past, blood transfusions although the later has been greatly eliminated due to blood testing. According to the CDC, “About 1.1 million people in the United States were living with HIV at the end of 2010, the most recent year this information was available. Of those people, about 16% do not know they are infected.” (Center for Disease Control, 2013). HIV can leave you vulnerable to illness because it attacks your immune system and may also leave a person vulnerable to certain cancers and infections. These opportunistic infections attack...
Words: 1363 - Pages: 6
...Epidemiology of HIV Clinton L. Lewis, RN Grand Canyon University: Concepts in Community and Public Health January 29, 2014 HIV, or human immunodeficiency virus, is a life threatening global pandemic that has claimed the lives of millions worldwide. HIV is primarily a sexually transmitted infection, but has a host of additional vectors. This virus is also be transmitted via contact with blood that contains the virus, transferred during pregnancy from mother to fetus, during childbirth, and breast-feeding. The virus can also be transmitted via intravenous needle sharing (Mayo; 2012). HIV damages the host’s immune system, ultimately interfering with the body’s natural defenses to fight infections that cause disease. In many cases, the infected individual goes years without the knowledge of being infected. Populations at higher risk for acquiring/transmitting HIV are primarily men who have sexual intercourse with other men (MSM). The group most seriously affected by the disease are young black/African American MSM. Left untreated, HIV will progress into AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome), in which complete failure of the immune system occurs, placing the host at fatally high risk for infection. Most recent statistics on HIV are staggering at best, with an estimated 1.144m persons in America alone age thirteen and older are currently living with HIV, including an estimated 181k who are unaware of the presence of infection (CDC; 2013). In the most recent decade, there...
Words: 1640 - Pages: 7
...Community Health-HIV Transmission and Prevention Kimberly Welch Grand Canyon University Concepts in Community and Public Health NRS-427V Jude Belmonte June 14, 2015 Community Health-HIV Transmission & Prevention One of the most complicated and complex communicable diseases in the world population today is human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). It is estimated that 78 million people have been infected and 39 million people have died worldwide since the virus was first identified ("AIDS statistics," 2015, para. 1). HIV is contracted by direct contact with contaminated blood or body fluids. This infection modifies and destroys the specific cells of the immune system ("HIV basics," 2015, para. 1). The result of HIV infection is the eventual progression to AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Disease) (Klatt, 2015, p. 6). HIV and AIDS are commonly used interchangeably when discussing the disease processes in general terms, but there is a distinctive evolution that identifies the presence of HIV to the development of AIDS. Since HIV targets specific cells, massive cellular destruction leads to the state know as acquired immune deficiency syndrome ("HIV basics," 2015). HIV infection currently has no cure and once acquired. However, with early detection and use of new medication combinations, it can be managed ("HIV Treatment," 2014, para. 3). Epidemiology is the medical study of the causes and transmission of disease within a population. Epidemiologist target specific strategies...
Words: 1633 - Pages: 7
...Epidemiology Paper: Human Immunodeficiency Virus Grand Canyon University: NRS-427V Epidemiology Paper: Human Immunodeficiency Virus Human immunodeficiency virus is a retrovirus that originates from West Africa. Chimpanzees in West Africa that were infected with a similar virus, simian immunodeficiency virus, were hunted by humans and their meat was harvested and eaten (CDC, 2014). During this process, humans that were exposed to their blood or ate their meat, were exposed to this same virus. The simian immunodeficiency virus mutated over time becoming the human immunodeficiency virus. Scientists believe this transmission from chimpanzees to humans has been occurring since the early 1800’s and has slowly spread across the world. HIV is a virus that eventually leads to Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). The human body is unable to rid itself of this virus, meaning it is a lifelong illness that necessitates lifelong treatment. There is no cure, although scientists worldwide are actively and diligently working towards one. The virus directly attacks specific cells in our body which are called T-cells. It invades the T-cell and uses them to replicate itself, destroying the T-cell in the process. T-cells help our bodies in the defense against infection and disease and when they are depleted and destroyed, cause and increase in susceptibility to infection and disease. When these cells are depleted to a dangerous level, the disease process then transitions to AIDS...
Words: 1601 - Pages: 7
...Human Immunodeficiency Virus, otherwise known as HIV can lead to the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome also known as AIDS. This virus weakens the human immune system over a period of time leaving it in a weakened state to allow opportunistic infections or cancer to grow. The human immunodeficiency virus is very similar to other viruses such as the flu or even the common cold but the most important difference between the two is that with the flu or cold the immune system is able to rid the body of the virus in a short period of time. In the case with HIV, “the immune system can’t seem to get rid of it”. (AIDS.GOV, 2012) As a result of the body’s failure to remove the virus, it continues to replicate and stays in the body for life. HIV is found in human body fluids and contact with this fluid can cause the virus to be transmitted and cause infection. Specific bodily fluids which contain HIV would be blood, semen, breast milk, vaginal fluids, or rectal mucous. HIV can be transmitted through sexual contact with a partner that is already infected. The bodily fluids of the infected partner can travel through one’s bloodstream or open sores. HIV can also be transmitted due to pregnancy, child birth, or even breast feeding. Injection drug abuse can also transfer the virus; especially in scenarios where individuals share needles. Other cases where the HIV virus can be transmitted are also within healthcare professionals and occupational exposure or individuals who have had...
Words: 1336 - Pages: 6
...Running Head: THE EPIDEMIOLOGY OF HIV/AIDS The Epidemiology of HIV/AIDS Michael Reynolds Grand Canyon University: NRS-434V 08/28/2014 THE EPIDEMIOLOGY OF HIV/AIDS 2 The Epidemiology of HIV/AIDS In June of 1981 the CDC published a report titled “Pneumocystis Pneumonia – Los Angeles.” This report is often noted as the beginning of AIDS awareness (Avert.org, 2014a). Since its discovery, the World Health Organization (WHO, 2014) estimates over 33 million people have been infected worldwide, 47% women and 33% children ages 15-24. More than 25 million men, women and children have died from this devastating viral infection. It is a worldwide pandemic that affects only humans. The virus is called the (H) human – it only infects human beings, (I) immunodeficiency – it works by inhabiting and destroying the T-cells (CD4), which are the fighter cells against body infections, and (V) virus – an infectious agent that replicates inside the living cells of a living organism and cause damage to its host (Aids.gov, 2014f). Normally our CD4 cells eradicate viruses, such as the common cold. HIV is unusual in that it hides within and destroys our “fighter” cells. Not only does the HIV virus hide and replicate itself in our T-Cells, it is believed to morph over time. Imagine a bank robber hiding from the police by wearing a police uniform and pretending to be one of them. Now imagine that the bank robber can change his disguise, add a mustache or dye his hair, just before the police suspect and...
Words: 2046 - Pages: 9
...Epidemiology Paper: HIV Grand Canyon University: NRS-427V 08/09/2015 Human immunodeficiency virus, otherwise known as HIV, is a serious disease that affects the bodies’ immune system. HIV affects the immune cells, specifically called the CD4 cells or T cells. As time passes, these cells are destroyed and soon the body begins to lose its ability to fight off infections and disease. HIV is the virus that could lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, or AIDS. Unfortunately, there is no cure for HIV, meaning once infected, you will remain infected for the rest of your life. The earliest HIV case was known to be in 1959. While it is unknown when exactly it came about, or from where, the transfer of the disease is thought to be from animal to human decades earlier. Some scientists believe that the chimpanzee transmitted the virus to humans, back when humans would hunt the chimpanzees for their meat. The contact with their HIV infected blood caused the spread of the communicable disease. After slowly spreading across Africa through the years, the virus made its way out into the world. “The first cases of HIV in the United States date back to 1981.” (Holland, 2013) The HIV infection is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus. There are many myths about how HIV is spread; the truth of how it is spread is simple, through blood, semen, vaginal/rectal fluids and breast milk. “These fluids must come in contact with a mucous membrane or damaged tissue or be directly injected...
Words: 1453 - Pages: 6
...July 27, 2014 Epidemiology HIV is an acronym that stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. The HIV virus attacks a carrier’s immune system making a simple cold detrimental to their health. It is spread though contact with an infected individual’s blood, semen, or vaginal fluid. The two most common ways that people contract HIV is though unprotected sex with a partner who knowingly or unknowingly has HIV, or through sharing needles with regards to drug use. The HIV virus works by attacking cells called CD4+ cells. These cells make up a large part of one’s immune system. When a certain number of CD4+ cells are destroyed, the human body is no longer able to fight off infections, regardless of how common. When the CD4+ cell amount becomes so little in quantity, the patient’s diagnosis usually changes from HIV to AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). The amount of time it can take for those infected to progress to AIDS can take up to 12 years (aids.gov, 2014). With ObamaCare, the primary goals regarding HIV is aimed at: 1) reducing the number of people who become infected with HIV, 2) increasing access to care and optimizing health outcomes for people living with HIV, and 3) reducing HIV-related health disparities (aids.gov, 2014). By providing preventative care such as condoms, education on monogamy, free clinics for STD (sexually transmitted diseases) screening, the population will be at a lesser risk of contracting HIV. In 1995, 44 percent of the general public indicated...
Words: 1421 - Pages: 6
...Health Promotion May 16, 2014 HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. It can lead to immunodeficiency syndrome or AIDS. It is caused by the HIV entering the uninfected body and stats to destroy CD4+cells which are there to help the body fight infection and disease (Webmd.com, 2014). Once you have HIV, you have it for life. More than 1.1 million people in United States alone are living with HIV and 1 out of 6 font even know it. About 50,000 people are infected with HIV each year (Cdc.gov, 2014). It is more commonly see in the gay community particularly young black males. In 2011 an estimated that 15,529 people had died. (Aids.gov, 2014) HIV is spread by having unprotected sex with someone who has HIV, sharing needles and less commonly by being born to an infected mother, blood transfusions or being stuck with an HIV-contaminated needle (Aids.gov, 2014). HIV has three stages of symptoms (Early, Latency, and Progression to AIDS). Early stage of HIV happens in the second to fourth week after being infected. It is the body’s natural defense mechanism to fighting off an invader. Symptoms are flu like and can be easily put off to other illnesses. Symptoms like fever, sore throat, rash, fatigue, aches and pains. These symptoms can last from a few days to several weeks. Clinical latency stage is when the virus is continuing to develop without producing symptoms. Even though the individual is symptom free they are still able to transmit HIV to others. The last stage is the...
Words: 787 - Pages: 4
