The Physical and Psychological Effects of AIDS
The reality of AIDS has insinuated itself into everyday life and language over the past decade. Though looked at as a foreigner, AIDS is in our entire society; employment, homes, and our intimate relationships. People with the AIDS virus feel trapped and have a desire to break away from the bondage that this horrible disease has with the person. However, running from the issue at hand only makes the problem worse. With one's own strength and the loving support of others a positive result can be attained.Ignorance is the main problem with AIDS today. Too many people are judgmental about the disease without having any knowledge of its nature. AIDS is a disease caused by the human immune deficiency virus, or Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), which destroys one's natural ability to fight illnesses (Rodger et al. 498). HIV is the generally accepted name for the virus, however, other types have been discovered, the most common being HIV-1. HIV related illnesses include the direct effects of the virus and the effects of opportunistic infections. When a person becomes infected with the HIV virus, it causes a breakdown of the body's immune system. This breakdown lowers the immune system significantly causing the HIV virus
The transmission of the AIDS virus can occur in variety of ways, the most common is through unprotected sexual activity. This allows the exchange of bodily fluids between an infected and uninfected person, heterosexual or homosexual. Infected intravenous drug users also transmit the virus through the blood of a shared syringe or other drug paraphernalia. The virus can also be transmitted during a blood transfusion with contaminated blood. The final way of transmission is from mother to child, an infected mother can infect her child through her breast milk (Clarke 86). Psychotherapy is not the only source of help AIDS patients have available to them. Many patients use the love of family and friends, meditation, and a healthy diet and stress free living. Although many of these methods of treatment may not save the life of a patient, these methods do make the days that are left more enjoyable. AIDS is a disease, but in no way should it be shunned on, nor should the victims of AIDS be viewed as outcasts. AIDS and HIV are two horrific diseases that completely take control of one's body without consent. Psychotherapists employ the knowledge and techniques of several schools of therapy. The important aspect is the assessment and evaluation of what the needs and then the application of treatment in a proficient manner. Psychotherapy requires the infected patient and their family to understand the virus itself, the conventional methods of treatment, and the knowledge of crisis intervention techniques (Clarke 88). The main goals of psychotherapy are to help the patient plan for the future, and to help cope with the illness. Patient Care and STDs 14 (2000): 555-559.
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Approximate Word count = 1517
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)
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