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The Effect of HIV & AIDS on the Body

While the effects of HIV/AIDS differ depending on the individual infected and the demographics of the region in which they live, there are certain outcomes that are assured at some point as a result of infection.

  1. Physical

    • The first symptoms of HIV/AIDS are fever, headache, sore throat, swollen lymph nodes, and rashes. The virus also causes a slew of medical conditions including opportunistic infections, fatigue, diarrhea, shortness of breath, and general immune deficiency-related ailments.

    Psychological

    • Those afflicted with HIV/AIDS often experience stress as a result of stigma or discrimination, either real or perceived. The opportunistic diseases one may contract as a result of HIV/AIDS can also alter the brain and nervous system causing HIV-associated dementia, minor cognitive-motor disorder, mood disorders, and anxiety disorders.

    Social and Economic

    • Since it was discovered in the early 1980s, HIV/AIDS has taken the lives of over 20 million people worldwide. The cost of care for an HIV/AIDS patient can grow to be astronomical, putting families in a difficult position financially. In less developed countries, where HIV/AIDS has the greatest impact, workers are perishing as a result of the virus, weakening economies and essentially stalling development.

    Reversing Progress

    • In Sub-Saharan Africa, where a majority of AIDS cases have been reported, the extension of life expectancy has taken a turn for the worse as a result of the pandemic; without AIDS, the average life expectancy would be 62; it is now 47 years of age. Education has also been negatively impacted with teachers leaving when they themselves get sick, or children being taken out of school to take care of ailing parents.

    Research

    • Still without a cure, as long as people continue to be infected, millions of dollars will be poured into research to find one, or at least medications to stave off its symptoms and related ailments. Right now there are Nucleoside Analog Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors being developed that stop the virus from multiplying by blocking the enzyme that alters HIV's genetic material into DNA.

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