Communicable Disease Paper
Communicable Disease Paper
Communicable disease, “is an infectious disease transmissible, (as from person to person) by direct contact with an infected individual or the individual’s discharges or by indirect means (as by a vector)” (Merriam-Webster, 2011, p. 1). Understanding how communicable diseases are spread is important in reducing the significant affliction of disease in low income communities across the United States and increase prevention, awareness, and safety. The objective of this paper is to discuss the communicable disease’s human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immune deficiency syndrome known as HIV and AIDS. In addition to describing HIV/AIDS, a brief overview of prevention, environmental factors, and social class facilitate or impede the human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immune deficiency syndrome. To conclude this paper, explanation of how public health departments are resolving this issue to decrease HIV/AIDS in communities across the United States.
Description of HIV/AIDS
The human immunodeficiency virus known as HIV is a communicable disease that damages the individual’s body by damaging certain blood cells, named CD4+ T cells, known as cluster of differentiation 4, and helper T cells; cells vital to assisting the body battle diseases. Two forms of HIV include HIV-1 and HIV-2. People infected with HIV can experience symptoms similar to the flu, which may last up to 14 days, whereas others may experience no symptoms of any kind. Individuals can live healthy without any symptoms for many years; however, the human immunodeficiency virus is still damaging his or her body. All individuals with this communicable disease must be seen on a consistent basis by a health care worker, trained in treating this disease.
AIDS or acquired immune deficiency syndrome is the delayed stage of the human immunodeficiency virus and occurs when the cells of the individual has been severely damaged and cannot resist certain diseases and
Communicable disease, “is an infectious disease transmissible, (as from person to person) by direct contact with an infected individual or the individual’s discharges or by indirect means (as by a vector)” (Merriam-Webster, 2011, p. 1). Understanding how communicable diseases are spread is important in reducing the significant affliction of disease in low income communities across the United States and increase prevention, awareness, and safety. The objective of this paper is to discuss the communicable disease’s human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immune deficiency syndrome known as HIV and AIDS. In addition to describing HIV/AIDS, a brief overview of prevention, environmental factors, and social class facilitate or impede the human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immune deficiency syndrome. To conclude this paper, explanation of how public health departments are resolving this issue to decrease HIV/AIDS in communities across the United States.
Description of HIV/AIDS
The human immunodeficiency virus known as HIV is a communicable disease that damages the individual’s body by damaging certain blood cells, named CD4+ T cells, known as cluster of differentiation 4, and helper T cells; cells vital to assisting the body battle diseases. Two forms of HIV include HIV-1 and HIV-2. People infected with HIV can experience symptoms similar to the flu, which may last up to 14 days, whereas others may experience no symptoms of any kind. Individuals can live healthy without any symptoms for many years; however, the human immunodeficiency virus is still damaging his or her body. All individuals with this communicable disease must be seen on a consistent basis by a health care worker, trained in treating this disease.
AIDS or acquired immune deficiency syndrome is the delayed stage of the human immunodeficiency virus and occurs when the cells of the individual has been severely damaged and cannot resist certain diseases and
References: May 4, 2011 from EBSCOhost Database Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (2011). HIV Surveillance - Epidemiology of HIV Infection (through 2009). Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/topics/surveillance/resources/slides/general/index.htm Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (2011). HIV/AIDS Statistics and Surveillance. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/topics/surveillance/index.htm Communicable disease. (2011). In Merriam-Webster. Retrieved on May 3, 2011 from http://www.merriam-webster.com/medical/communicable+disease?show=0&t=1304463061 Rubin, MS., Colen, CG., & Link, BG. (2010) American Journal of Public Health: Examination of inequalities in HIV/AIDS mortality in the United State from a fundamental cause perspective, 100(6), 1. Retrieved on May 4, 2011 from EBSCOHost Database.