Children Whose Parents are Suffering from AIDS Essay

Children Whose Parents are Suffering from AIDS - Essay Example [International AIDS Society Communications Department (n.d)] AIDS is caused by a virus known as HIV, or Human Immunodeficiency Virus. When a human body is infected by HIV, it attacks upon the healthy cells of the body such as the white blood cells that function to keep us safe from different diseases. It thrives and multiplies in those cells weakening and damaging the white blood cells and ultimately, the human body as it loses its protection shield. [American Psychiatric Association (n.d)] The HIV virus can be transmitted when the HIV containing fluids of one person transfer to another person. Thus, HIV can be transferred through sex, by sharing needles, syringes (especially, while drug abuse as it is done with precaution) etc, and new born babies with infected mother can also get the virus. HIV virus, however, doesn't thrive in a medium outside of a human body so according to known researches, it is not possible to get infected through external mediums, such as air and water. It is also known that insects do not carry the virus. [American Psychiatric Association (n.d)] In our fast-paced world where cut-throat competition prevails, people... [American Psychiatric Association (n.d)] [International AIDS Society Communications Department (n.d)] MENTAL DISORDERS AND ITS EFFECT ON CHILDREN In our fast-paced world where cut-throat competition prevails, people have seen a rise in the occurrence of emotional stress, distress and depression. However, people inflicted with a deadly disease such as AIDS are more prone to suffer from such mental disorders. The feeling of helplessness and depression is also because of the fact that most of the societies in our world have not learnt to accept people with AIDS. Certainly, it is not easy for them. This has, anyhow, proved to be more negative for patients with AIDS as they are not only going to be fight with a fatal disease for the rest of their lives but are also being treated as outcasts and aliens by their fellowmen. Even more worse is the fact that sometimes the virus itself make attack the brain cells which may result in a loss of memory among other things. [American Psychiatric Association (n.d)] "Every day, about 14000 new HIV infections occur everyday" [International AIDS Society Communications Department (n.d)] Looking at the vast and dismal number of people that are likely to get diagnosed with AIDS is not comforting. As AIDS have been publicized as an incurable disease, it doesn't come as a shock to know that most of the patients start suffering from depression. Depression, in its own right is a very harmful mental disorder. Its symptoms include loss of interest in daily activities, loss of sleep, appetite and weight. Considering that HIV weakens the immune system, if a patient also suffers from depression, it is unlikely that he is going to get any better as lack of sleep, appetite and diversions are going to adversely affect the immune system