Jennifer Hudson
August 20, 2010
A communicable disease is an illness that is spread through contact of germs and bacteria. Humans, animals and foods are all transporters of germs and bacteria that can deliver a contagious illness from one host to another. An effortless touch or swapping of fluids is all that germs and bacteria need to spread. There are several pertinent communicable diseases in the World today. For the purposes of this paper, we will focus on HIV/AIDS. AIDS is a chronic, deadly condition caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Factors such as lifestyle, environmental, socioeconomic status and disease management are large factors that influence HIV/AIDS.
HIV impedes the body’s capability of fighting off viruses, bacteria, and fungi that cause illness and infection. A person with HIV is more vulnerable to contracting certain types of cancers and infections of the body. This same vulnerable individual is more at risk for losing their life to a usually treatable illness. One of the chief organizations that have headed the efforts of controlling the number of HIV/AIDS cases in America is the Center for Disease Control (CDC). The CDC has many components attached to the public health prevention and education mission. The CDC works with community, state, national, and international cohorts in examination, research, prevention, and evaluation activities. The CDC estimates that about 1.1 million Americans are living with HIV and about 21% of them do not know that they are infected. The CDC has even created a division dedicated to HIV/AIDS prevention. The Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention focuses on national leadership for prevention, treatment and elimination of HIV/AIDS (Department of Health and Human Services Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2011).
Lifestyle has a very large influence on the management of HIV/AIDS. The disease is mainly transmitted though sexual intercourse. The majority of HIV
References: Alfsen, A. (2004,June). Environmental Factors in HIV/AIDS epidemic development: New Perspective for Gender Equality and Global Protect Against HIV Transmission. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15253905 Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (2011). CDC Responds to HIV.AIDS. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/aboutDHAP.htm Wellness. (2012). Factors affecting HIV progression. Retrieved from http://www.wekkness.com/reference/allergies/factors-affecting-hiv-prgression