The First Case Of Hiv ( Human Immunodeficiency Virus )

Scientific advances have progressed dramatically over the last century, many of which have led to global health being improved, life expectancy increasing in many countries around the world and the quality of people’s lives being enhanced. Various disease, which were once seen as life threating, now can be easily diagnosed and simply treated due to advances in medicines and technology. In the past twenty years, there have been a few scientific advances, which have stood out among the rest. The first case of HIV (Human immunodeficiency virus) was detected in the United States in 1981, and by 1983, it had been documented in South Africa. Starting with only a few cases here and there, it eventually became the largest epidemic of modern†¦show more content†¦Improving gender equality in these areas and reducing drug use and needle swapping are also seen as preventions. Treatment for HIV has improved drastically over the last 20 years. Antiretroviral drugs are medication that attack and destroy the retrovirus. In 1995, the FDA approved antiretroviral therapy (ART). This is where the patient takes two to three types of medication, as single therapy is not advised, this improves treatment as the different drugs work together to combat the virus. Haart is an antitrtrovirus therapy, which was introduced in 1996. It has shown to reduce death rate and hospital admission; it has also shown to decrease transmission of the disease. The use of haart in developing countries has shown a huge reduction in mortality and morbidity, associated with HIV, also seen to slow progression of AIDS. This is due to is lowering viral load in the patients’ blood and sexual fluids. In Antiretroviral dug used in these therapies are very important, the combination of drugs work by stopping the virus from replicating. Also the anti-retroviral medicine used, in many cases c an increase their CD4 and their T cell counts. This will leading to patients quality of life improving and allowing longevity of life. This has shown to be a huge advance help improve patients’ lives and the life expectancy of people who live with HIV/AIDS. Cancer effects millions of people around the world, it is said that 1 in 2 of people in the UK