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Get Involved: The Global Pandemic (by Kaitlyn Schultz)

“2000 began with 24 million Africans infected with the virus. In the absence of a medical miracle, nearly all will die before 2010. Each day, 6,000 Africans die from AIDS. Each day, an additional 11,000 are infected”—these words were spoken by Lester R. Brown in October of 2000. Since then the number has increased and a total of 11,000 deaths occur each day.

This disease is called Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and it is a severe immune disorder caused by Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). This infectious disease prevents the immune system from fighting infections, allowing simple and basic illnesses to greatly weaken the immune system. Thanks to modern medicine, drugs have been created that are able to increase the life expectancy for those infected with HIV or AIDS for at least a decade.

Due to the poverty stricken economy in Africa, the population suffering from AIDS is unable to afford the proper drugs in order to help themselves. The drugs are inexpensive to those who have the funding. The cost of the drugs have dropped substantially from three years ago when the annual fee could cost a possible $10,000 per year, but because AIDS medicine has become more essential the costs have dropped dramatically, as it can cost as little $295 per year. However, the price is still too high for those in developing countries to afford to buy these drugs to treat the infected population. Prevention measures, on the other hand, have been implemented but are limited in effectiveness. Only 0.1% of patients receive anti-AIDS treatment.

Although there is no known cure or vaccine for HIV or AIDS, there have been medical advances through life-extending drugs, which offer hope and the ability to improve patient quality of life, as well as prolonging life expectancy. The only treatment for AIDS is through antiretroviral (ARVS) drugs that stop the virus from duplicating, but not killing the disease. Antiretroviral therapy alters the nature of the HIV disease, and transforms the infected cells into a constant but stable condition. These drugs are specifically designed to block the action of a basic type of virus, allowing a longer life expectancy.

As the adult population continues to die off, the African economy will continue to weaken as more than one-quarter of working age adults are infected with HIV. With the death of the adult population, the elderly must take on the sudden loss of financial support, as they must bear the burden of caring for those left behind. With the fatal outcome of so many adults countries are forced to draw from a diminishing pool of trained and talented workers, and must settle for less qualified employees to support the African economy. As HIV continues to spread, working adults are forced to leave work in order to care for family members who are ill with AIDS, often taking away money that would otherwise be used to cover necessities, as well as education for their children’s futures. With the diminishing adult population, children are not given the opportunities they deserve, and are forced to take on the responsibilities of an adult at a young age.

In Africa, some children are robbed of their childhood, as the disease kills their parents, leaving children orphaned and having to fend for themselves. Those who survive on their own are usually infected with the disease, and are forced into low paying jobs with no means of meeting the expenses for the necessary treatments. In sub-Saharan Africa alone, 470,000 children die of AIDS each year, and for more than 90 percent of these children, the deadly virus is transmitted from their mothers. Of 30 children born to HIV positive mothers, approximately 10 will acquire the virus simply by being born, and another four will become infected from breast-feeding. Most children who are infected from birth will not live to see their 5th birthday. Children not infected at birth may become infected through sexual contact. Among young adults, girls have a higher rate of infection than boys of the same age.

As AIDS continues to spread, it does not evolve into a larger national outbreak, it develops into an increasingly large global epidemic. It is not one country’s problem, but a situation that lingers over every human being’s head. We must all take action, and do what we can to help all who suffer. The only thing that can put an end to this crisis, is to step forward and do all the we can do.

Sources

“AIDS Regional Update: Africa.” The World Bank Group. 1 December 2004. <http://www.worldbank.org/afr/aids/overview.htm>.

Nachtwey, James. “AIDS in Africa.” Time. 1 December 2004. <http://www.time.com/time/2001/aidsinafrica/>.

Pacienza, Angela. “Keys, Lewis push for AIDS awareness.” Canada.com. 29 November 2004. 1 December 2004. <http://www.canada.com/entertainment/music/
story.html?id=aa7c3c40-2279-4b19-82e4-1fea74e00119>.

Shah, Anup. “AIDS in Africa.” Global Issues That Affect Everyone. 15 May 2004. 1 December 2004. <http://www.globalissues.org/Geopolitics/Africa/
AIDS.asp#TheImpactofAIDSinAfrica.htm>.

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