HIV/AIDS

HIV/AIDS in United Kingdom and Thailand

HIV/AIDS in United Kingdom and Thailand

Introduction

A disease of the human immune system, Human immunodeficiency virus infection / acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS), is caused by an immunodeficiency virus. In the initial stages, a person experiences influenza and nausea. This is followed by a series of prolonged symptoms. This then affects the immune system and a person become vulnerable to diseases and infections. There exists no vaccination for the treatment of this disease. Medications for the disease are very expensive and have numerous side effects.

This paper highlights how nursing and healthcare cures this disease in many countries. Also, how essential nursing is provided in United Kingdom and Thailand.

Discussion

The spread of HIV/AIDS can be seen in almost every country of the world. According to the statistics, approximately 40 million people are infected and around 25 million have died because of the disease. The virus is typically transmitted through unprotected sexual intercourse, blood transfusions and needles, and from mother to child. The prevention can be done through promoting safe sex and needle exchange programs. This chronic disease has to be thoroughly treated else this can be life threatening.

85% of the infection is transmitted through heterosexual intercourse (www.emedicinehealth.com). The virus enters through the vagina line, penis or mouth during sex. It is also transmitted through drug users who share needles. Also, it can be transmitted during pregnancy when infected cell enter the baby through breastfeeding. It also spreads through infected blood transfusion. All the blood components are checked before any transplantation (www.kidshealth.org).However, saliva, tears, sweat, feces and urine are not considered infections (www.aids.org).

HIV/AIDS in United Kingdom

By the end of 2012, around 91,500 people were diagnosed with the infection. By 2011, 27, 361 AIDS patients and 20, 335 HIV patients died of the disease. AIDS was diagnosed in UK in 1980s (www.avert.org). There had been a steady increase in the number since then. At first it was concentrated to three groups, men who had sex with men, injecting drug users and blood transfusions that were infected. Antiretroviral treatment has resulted in a decline in the number of cases reported. However, the number is relatively low as compared to other parts of the world. It has been increasing dramatically since 1990s.

Transmission Route

Heterosexual sex - The research indicated that most of the patients were diagnosed of HIV typically infected through heterosexual sex in 2011.

Men who have sex with men - The number of cases have been increasing steadily since 2001 because of men to men sex. Risky sexual behavior is one of the main reasons of HIV/AIDS diagnosed.

Injecting drug users - 5,541 cases have been diagnosed in United Kingdom as a result of injecting drug use.

Mother to child - In 2011, 2101 children were diagnosed with HIV through mother to child transmission with a peak of 154 in 2004.

Blood products - By 2011, 1963 people were affected with HIV through the usage of contaminated blood products. Measures were taken to avoid the spread of disease through unsafe blood ...