U.N. Reports Decrease in New H.I.V. Infections
By: Donald G. McNeil Jr.
Summary:
In the new report on epidemics, the UN reports that the number of people infected with HIV have decrease. UNaids said 2.6 million people became newly infected with H.I.V., the virus that causes AIDS, in 2009 — almost 20 percent fewer than in the late 1990s. South Africa, which has the world’s worst epidemic, has seen progress due to a turnover in presidency, but they still see about 350,000 to 500,000 new infections annually. The progress according to UNaids is due to, giving antiviral drugs to mothers during birth and those who breastfeed so they do not pass the virus to their children; also passing condoms to citizens like in Iran, and the attitude towards gay men in countries like Senegal and Malawi. There are places in Eastern Europe and Central Asia where the rate infections are worse because of heroin-injectors and their sexual partners.
Although many people are getting educated and parents are more open to talking to their children about sex, there is still bad news when it comes to fighting the AIDS epidemic. Some people are now becoming resistant to the first line of drugs and there is not enough money to provide them with the second and third lines of drugs.
Analysis:
It is encouraging to hear that HIV infections are decreasing, even if it is slightly. HIV/AIDS is so widespread and almost every country in the world is affected by the devastation that comes with the virus. HIV/AIDS not only affect the individual, but their family, friends and the economy of that country because that less people in the workplace. Education plays an important role in the fight against this disease, and it good to hear that parents are talking to their children about sex. I think the best parents can do for their children is not to be naïve about their activities regarding sex, and to educate them, and to have an open door policy where kids feel comfortable to discuss safe sex.
It not surprising to me that some people are becoming resistant to the first line of drugs against HIV, but it is sad. Viruses are smart and their goal is to kill the helper T-cells and weaken the individual, so it’s normal that they would grow resistant. I hope that donors will continue to give so people who cannot afford drugs on their own will be able to get them.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/24/world/africa/24infect.html?ref=health
2 comments:
I agree that while it is very disheartening to hear people are becoming resistant to the first line of defense drugs for HIV, that it was inevitable. Viruses are designed as survival of the fittest, just like everything else in nature. Survival of the fittest is about the ability to adapt and that is why there are so many different strains of the flu, for instance. I am glad there is a decrease in infections and I hope it continues to decline as education on how HIV spreads is related to more places.
It's great to see the numbers of HIV infected people decreasing. To me, this says that people are being safer when it comes to sex and using protection and getting tested regularly. But it looks like people in South Africa still need help.
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