Tuesday, June 9, 2009

HIV/ AIDS Today and Yesterday


When the pandemic first struck in 1981, there was no treatment. It wasn't even called AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency disease syndrome) . It was called 'gay cancer', 'gay compromise syndrome' , 'community-acquired immune dysfunction" and GRID (gay-related immune deficiency) . KS (Karposi's Sarcoma), a specific type of cancer, and PCP (Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia) were soon the two main medical conditions being discovered by physicians in a certain population of people who met a certain criteria. Known primarily to affect only those with compromised immune systems, these conditions were very rare but over time more and more cases were being reported in hospital emergency rooms. Patients, who were primarily gay men at the time, were dying in a matter of months. As researchers worked on containing a virus, which attacked the body's immune system, it soon became apparent that a vaccine was going to be impossible to develop. This virus, eventually named HIV ( human immunodeficiency virus ) was classified as a 'retrovirus', meaning it was able to duplicate itself into many different forms when spreading throughout the body so one 'single' vaccine was not going to be able to conquer it. This dismal picture of AIDS was prevalent throughout the 1980's. Though there wasn't a cure, the medical community concentrated on treating the symptoms of the many 'opportunistic infections' ( a group of maladies affecting only those with a compromised immune systems) seen in those with AIDS. The goal was to improve the quality of ones life and promote longevity but, unfortunately,these treatments were not very successful and many continued to die. From the gay community, AIDS found its way into the IV drug using community and eventually into the straight community. Mothers contracting the virus were giving birth to babies already infected. The AIDS virus was found in blood, semen, vaginal fluid and breast milk. Transmission occurred when the bodily fluids of one infected person were transferred into the blood system of a non-infected person. The nation went into panic mode and AIDS social service agencies could not be developed fast enough. And with AIDS came fear, hatred, bigotry and rejection. People were fired from their jobs and displaced from their homes. Teen-agers were being turned away from their own families as feeling guilt and shame were damaging all self worth in many of those infected. As drastic as this was, AIDS activist groups were, also, being created to fight for funding for research, medication and education. Dame Elizabeth Taylor became the first and foremost leader of this battle creating amFAR (The American Foundation for AIDS Research) and her own Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation. She slowly raised millions of dollars with her philanthropic efforts. Radial groups such as ACT-UP demonstrated and held protests demanding equal rights and better societal treatment. It took years until one single drug, AZT, showed promise in slowing down the production of the virus in the blood stream. It was a major advancement and in some cases, it prolonged life but not significantly. As other drugs came down the pipeline, ACT-UP demanded that the FDA (Federal Drug & Food Administration) streamline experimental drug and to release them quickly for human consumption. People simply didn't have the the opportunity to wait extended periods of time for drugs to be approved. Some drugs, commonly known as Nucleoside/ Nucleotide Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NRTIs) and Non-Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NNRTIs) were developed and clinical trials for effectiveness started as soon as possible. Now, some with AIDS were able to add some years, instead of months, to their lives. But it was still a life with an inevitable end in sight. Even though there were advancements in the treatment of AIDS, health issues were still an uphill battle. Systems of a severely compromised immune system, as well as side effects from the new medication, caused problems unto themselves. There were those who were too ill on a daily basis to enjoy the extension of their lives and misery prevailed once again. Those infected with HIV gave up their employment and went on disability. Some were cashing in their life insurance policies for money to exist on. And exist they did. Isolation, depression, hopelessness, and substance abuse addictions plagued this population of people who were left to ponder the meaning of their life having acquired this affliction. Finally, in 1996, there was a significant discovery. The creation of a group of drugs called 'Protease Inhibitors' (PIs) attacked the virus in a method never seen before and, at last, there seemed to be some hope. Though these drugs did not cure AIDS, they initiated an entire new phase in the history of AIDS treatment. PI's came with their own particular troublesome list of side effects and a battle ensued in regards to taking the medication, which made most people ill or not to take them. In the years that followed, more and more drugs were created with less and less side effects. HIV could virtually be undetected in the body with the proper use of these medications. Without HIV destroying the body's immune system, the immune system had a chance to repair itself. As AIDS was slowly slipping away from having a reputation of being an instant death sentence, people were building back the foundation of their lives. They were feeling better, living longer and were able to enjoy life, once again. Unfortunately, this was not the case for everyone and there were still those who succumbed to the disease. Today, we have several classifications of effective drugs: Fusion Inhibitors and Intergrase Inhibitors all attack the virus in different ways. These drugs are now used in conjunction with others in combinations commonly called ' a cocktail' . Taking these medications is now a daily routine and vital in the lives of those suffering from HIV/AIDS. Now, it is hopeful that living ten, twenty or thirty years may be a reality. The medical profession is now calling HIV/AIDS a manageable disease. There is a downside, though. The long term use of these potent medications it not fully understood and ,as years go by, these medications may be more harmful to the body that actually having AIDS itself. Only time will tell. A second drawback is drug resistance. Each of these medications may only be effective for a certain amount of time and then they are no longer able to keep the virus at bay. So, the discovery for a cure can never be pushed onto the back burner. For only when AIDS is eradicated from the face of the Earth, is when we shall find peace. Researchers are skeptical that this will occur in the near future but advances in AIDS treatment remain tremendous in comparison to a quarter of a century ago. Though there is still a stigma attached to those with AIDS, it is not the face of quivering illness as it once was in our society. It is the face of health and prosperity. And we remain forever hopeful. If you wish to donate to the cause, please visit The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation: http://www.elizabethtayloraidsfoundation.org/
Any contribution will be greatly appreciated.

5 comments:

  1. I was infected with deadly HIV/AIDS disease and I try all my possible best I can to get a cure but there was no solution out until I met the powerful spiritualist doctor who many people have shared testimonials about him, and I decided to give a trial, to my own surprise I was cured in two days time after contacting DOCTOR AWAISE, I am so happy and I will continue to say I love you doctor and may the good lord bless you and empower you also to more works, doctor awaise email is LANDOFOGUN@OUTLOOK.COM you can contact him if you also needs his help thanks doctor mobile number is +2347032286452

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  2. I was tested HIV + positive last 3 years. I keep on managing the drugs i usually purchase from the health care agency to keep me healthy and strength full, i tried all i can too make this disease leave me alone, but unfortunately, it keep on eating up my life, this is what i caused myself, for allowing my finance have sex with me insecurely without protection, although i never knew he is HIV positive. So last few 4 days i came in contact with a lively article on the internet on how this Powerful Herb Healer get her well and healed. So as a patient i knew this will took my life 1 day, and i need to live with other friends and relatives too. So i copied out the Dr Odumego the traditional healer’s email id: drodumego@gmail.com and I mailed him immediately, in a little while he mail me back that i was welcome to his temple home were by all what i seek for are granted. I was please at that time. And i continue with him, he took some few details from me and told me that he shall get back to me as soon as he is through with my work. I was very happy as heard that from him. So Yesterday, as i was just coming from my friends house, Dr Odumego called me to go for checkup in the hospital and see his marvellous work that it is now HIV negative, i was very glad to hear that from him, so i quickly rush down to the nearest hospital to found out, only to hear from my hospital doctor called Browning Lewis that i am now HIV NEGATIVE. I jump up at him with the test note, he ask me how does it happen and i recede to him all i went through with Dr Odumego I am now glad, so i am a gentle type of person that need to share this testimonies to everyone who seek for healing, because once you get calm and quiet, so the disease get to finish your life off. So i will advice you contact him today for your healing at the above details: Email ID: drodumego@gmail.com CONTACT HIM NOW TO SAVE YOUR LIFE: drodumego@gmail.com AS HE IS SO POWERFUL AND HELPFUL TO ALL THAT HAVE THIS SICKNESS…

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  3. I am
    tessy terry from USA, i never believe that HIV cure is real until i got in contact with Dr uwa, my HIV started eight years ago, i was even waiting for death because all my money went out for drug, which keep me till today, one day i saw in the interment that HIV cure is out i then email Dr uwa and he prepare the herb for me which i took, after taking it he told me to go to the hospital which i did, could you believe that i was confirm HIV negative after the test, and i went to another hospital and it was also negative. if you have this problem and you want to be free from it please contact this doctor with this email address druwaherbalcenter@gmail.com or call him on +2348063930531 God Bless you Sir. he is the best HIV cure you will find him in the whole world. thank you Dr uwa am free now.

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  4. My name is Monica Kathy i will like us to share tips on how to identify a real HERBAL DOCTOR because alot of people have fallen victim of scam as i have come across lots of comments lately (i was a victim too) and from experience and what i know i decide to open this thread, only fake HERBAL DOCTOR ask for the followings: COURIER CHARGES: no matter where you are in the world, no matter the distance and continent a real herbal doctor will cast a cure spell effectively without you seeing it or the spell caster getting it to you to use it so long as he has the names or pix..the spell will work itself.. STRAIGHT: no excuses for failure, if money was needed in the first place for courier he should have say so, so one can know how prepared he is..i did rather pay $1000 at once to get my result rather than paying $200 for excuses to get more money..its not bad paying for items but the end result might be an excuse THREAT: if you get fed up of sending money after money, they begin to threaten one with death and madness.. about 70% of them are from Africa am not saying they dont have real herbal doctors cos they are spiritually gifted in Africa but the impersonation is too much, the fake are more than the real.. i fell a victim of scam twice to a certain dr maroro and dr ibakoloto they both ripped me off before i realized almost $3700 was gone until i came across Dr uwa who told me how to know a fake herbal doctor, he helped me CURE my HIV infection without failure or excuse in 7 days.. Am Cured and happy now for about a month..
    his e-mail is druwaherbalcenter@gmail.com or call and whatsapp him on+2348063930531 lets beware of scammers and share experience, suggestion and solutions..thanks...!

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  5. MY HIV HEALING TESTIMONY BY DR.ALABI MOHAMMED

    My mouth is short of words, my name is Diana i am so so happy because Dr. Alabi Mohammed
    has healed me from HIV ailment which i have been suffering from for the past 3years now, i have spend alot when getting drugs from the hospital to keep me healthy, i have tried all means in life to become Hiv negative, but there was no answer until i found Dr Alabi mohammed the herbal Dr who provide me some healing spell that he uses to help me, now i am glad telling everyone that i am now HIV Negative, i am very very happy, thank you Dr. Alabi for helping my life comes back newly without any form of crisis, may the good lord that i serve blessed and equip you to the higher grade for healing my life. i am so amazed. so i will announced to everyone in this whole world that is HIV positive to please follow my advice and get healed on time, because we all knows that HIV disease is a deadly disease,contact Dr.Alabi for your Hiv healing spell today or email him on dralabim5@gmail.com.... He will always be happy to assist you online and ensure you get healed on time, you can also call or whatsapp him on +2348155011610
    DOCTOR ALABI MOHAMMED CAN ALSO CURE THE FOLLOWING DISEASES:
    1. HIV/AIDS

    2. HERPES

    3. CANCER

    4. ALS

    5. Hepatitis B

    6. BRING OF EX LOVER BACK

    7. DICK ENLARGEMENT/ BREAST ENLARGEMENT

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