Much of the HIV infection rate in the United States today is due to needle sharing. While polls indicate that most people feel that HIV transmission is largely due to the disease being sexually transmitted, this is not the case in some developed nations such a the United States. Communities that saw a huge increase in HIV infection cases in the 1980s are now seeing a decline in the number of cases where an HIV transmission was caused by sexual contact.
In some parts of the world, however, the numbers of those suffering from an HIV infection caused by a sexual HIV transmission is on the rise. In South America, there is a current epidemic of HIV/AIDS cases caused by HIV transmission. This is despite attempts made by some countries, such as Brazil, to try to keep HIV infection at bay with proactive approaches.
Many people are under the assumption that because there has been headway in treating HIV that there is a cure for the disease. This is not the case. An HIV transmission can still have the potential to explode into deadly AIDS. Those who have an HIV transmission must be treated with a number of different drugs to try to keep the immune system healthy. As of yet, there is no AIDS cure. The antiviral drugs that are used to treat an HIV transmission or an HIV infection can take their toll on the body after a period of time as well. While living with an HIV transmission is possible more now than ever before, and there are those who have lived more than two decades with HIV, the seriousness of an HIV infection should not be underestimated.
Taking precautions is the best step when it comes to preventing an HIV transmission. Avoiding lifestyle choices such as needle sharing and unprotected sex are two things that people can do to avoid getting an HIV transmission. In developing countries, there needs to be more of an education about how to avoid AIDS. This should begin for young people who are school aged. There are still many misconceptions about HIV and AIDS that exist today. These misconceptions should be erased in order to make sure that people have an understanding of the disease. The more people are educated about HIV transmission and HIV infection, the fewer misconceptions there will be regarding AIDS and the more control can be kept.
It is possible for AIDS to be eradicated, although it would take a massive education program as well as a proactive approach to the disease in order for this to occur. Understanding how it is contacted can help those avoid an HIV infection or HIV transmission from needles or unprotected sex. By destroying myths about AIDS and bring the disease to the forefront, more progress can be made to not only keep the disease in check, but actually to eradicate it from existence. This is possible, but would take a cooperative and worldwide effort.