Patients with Aids

Patients with AIDS Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a disease caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). HIV causes the human immune system to be altered, causing the human body to be vulnerable to infections and diseases. AIDS is a growing virus in the human race affecting men, women, and children. Target Population In the past, white homosexual males and intravenous drug users were people who were known as targeted population for Aids. In today’s society, African Americans, Hispanics, and the Latinos population are races that are identified as a targeted population at risk for HIV or AIDS. African Americans are ranked the highest race with the blood disease. Young black men who have sex with men (MSM) are increasing rapidly, causing an increase of the blood disease in the black community. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2012), “Young black MSM accounted for 45% of new HIV infections among black MSM and 55% of new HIV infections among young MSM overall” (Para 12). However, people who do not fall in these targeted race population must be educated and safe concerning sex. Anyone who is sexually active makes him or herself a target for HIV or AIDS no matter what his or her race is. Population Demographics About 1.1 Americans are infected with HIV in the United States, and one in five does not know they are infected. Approximately 50,000 people become infected each year (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2012). MSM are at the highest risk for the blood disease, accounting for 61% of the blood disease diagnosis in 2009. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2012), “White MSM represent the largest number of new HIV infections (11,400) in the United States, followed closely by black MSM (10,800) and Hispanic MSM (6,000)” (p. 3). Gay men are still the highest population targeted for the blood disease.

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