Dylan Dunn Mrs.

Longnecker English 10 3/30/12

AIDS Then and Now Dictionary.com defines aids as: a disease of the immune system characterized by increased susceptibility to opportunistic infections. While this would be the medical definition of aids there was many other characteristics of AIDS widely remarked in the mid 80s and early 90s as the gay disease there were many misconceptions about HIV/AIDS. misconceptions that even public figures such as Magic Johnson could not elude. Despite this HIV/AIDS perception as well as the way we treat HIV/AIDS today has evolved over time. When HIV/AIDS was relatively new there were few medications to fight against it. The few drugs there were, was very expensive and unaffordable for many. Especially the large number of inner city people not practicing safe sex or sharing needles.To

be diagnosed with AIDS was a death sentence due to the lack of medications When HIV/AIDS was first discovered in 1985 it was commonly referred to as the gay disease. Many people had misconceptions about HIV/AIDS like for instance that HIV and AIDS are the same. This obviously is a false statement, HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) which is the virus that causes the immune system to break down. As a result of this breakdown AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome), the collection of symptoms, diseases, and infections associated with an acquired deficiency of the immune system occurs. While HIV is the underlying cause of AIDS, not all HIV-positive individuals have AIDS, as HIV can remain in a latent state for many years. While In a lot of cases HIV progresses to AIDS, HIV and AIDS are not the same. Another common misconception people in the mid 80s and early 90s had about AIDS was that it or HIV could be spread through contact with HIV or AIDS. This is yet another myth come about due to ignorance of HIV/AIDS. The world health organization

was quoted as saying the biggest threat may not be HIV/AIDS at all, but quite possibly the common mans Ignorance. In 1987 A leaflet about AIDS was delivered to every household in the UK, and the British Government also launched a major advertising campaign with the slogan "AIDS: Don't Die of Ignorance" while the World Health organization was making attempts to inform the public of HIV/AIDS it was clear that a spokes person of formidable fame was necessary. In 1991Magic Johnson the three time NBA MVP and hall of famer announced that he had contracted HIV. He had chosen to retire from the NBA amongst the scrutiny he would receive form continuing to play despite having AIDS. In 1992 Magic was voted into the NBA all-star game and played with a broken heart as many of his former teammates opposed his participation, as they were concerned for their safety. Even public figures such as Magic Johnson was ridiculed and persecuted for having HIV/AIDS. Magic Johnson tried to stage a comeback into the NBA but withdrew form doing so only weeks before the start of the season due to an enormous amount of protest from his fellow players. After his

career Magic Johnson committed himself to being a role model and spokesperson for HIV/AIDS, and has done just that. For many years we did not have an effective drug for treating HIV/AIDS Now we have many drugs to help fight HIV/AIDS. Including antiretroviral drugs, which is a combination of multiple drugs to work together to help slow down and control the effects of HIV. As of 2001 there were 36 million people living with HIV/AIDS. It has effected a wide spread of people, heterosexual, homosexual, men, women, and even children. Most misconceptions about HIV/AIDS are put to rest as schools teach about HIV/AIDS. With a well informed public precautions can be taken to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS and early signs can be detected and measures can be taken to treat infected patience. Just as technology has progressed so has our ways of handling aids. Years ago to be diagnosed with AIDS was practically a death sentence. Now its a perfectly treatable and preventable disease. We now educate avidly about HIV/AIDS and test possible victims. Anyone could contact HIV/AIDS, about 5% of Americans have HIV/AIDS and statics show that 20% dont know they have

HIV/AIDS. While we as a society are learning to deal with HIV/AIDS we still have room to improve. Only about 40% of Americans have been tested, while we would like to lower the number of people infected, we also need to raise the number of people tested. Because if someone knows they are positive they can help to not spread HIV/AIDS.

Citation

"History of aids: 1987-1992." Averting hiv and aids. AVERT, n.d. Web. 29 march 2012. <http://www.avert.org/aids-history8792.htm>.

"HIV among African Americans." Centers for disease control and prevention. Centers for Disease Control, 2012. Web. 29 march 2012. <http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/topics/aa/>.

McNabb, Julien. "Magic Johnson. biography." bio. true story. A&E Television Networks, 2011. Web. 29 march 2012. <http://www.biography.com/people/magic-johnson-9356150>.