Epidemiology Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Epidemiology Paper - Essay Example These viruses are HIV-1 and HIV-2. HIV-2 virus is mostly found in Africa particularly West Africa, while HIV-1 is the major cause of HIV/AIDS basically in all regions of the world. These viruses attack the immune system and they have the capacity to become part of the human DNA. There are many indications of HIV/AIDS. it is important to assert the fact that the signs or indications of this disease are analogous to the signs or indications of a range of other common diseases that affect human beings. However, the signs and indications of HIV/AIDS are prolonged and more rigorous as compared to those of other common disease. Signs that are prevalent at the initial stages of the disease include high fever, lilac or lavender blemishes or spots on the skin, wound and abscesses that fail to heal when medicated, long lasting weariness and fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, fast or swift loss of weight, sore or broad whitish looking glaze in the orifice and anus, frequent or recurring flu and diarrhoea (Mayer and Pizer, 2004). According to the World Health Organization (2014), there are a number of ways through which HIV/AIDS can be transmitted. These include all incidents that exposes the blood of an individual to that of an infected person through sex, through sharing needles and other prickly substances such as razor blades. This disease can also be transmitted from a mother to her unborn child if measures are not taken, and also through blood transfusion. There are many complications of HIV/AIDS that are as a result of the abating of the immune system. This makes infected individuals prone to a range of other diseases or complications otherwise referred to as opportunistic ailments. One of the most common complication of HIV/AIDS include tuberculosis and is one of the major causes of death among those infected. Other complications include bacterial infections such as salmonellosis, candidiasis, cryptococcal menengitis, cancers, wasting syndrome,