AIDS In South Carolina

2 Pages 620 Words

Among the highest state in US concerning AIDS cases, South Carolina ranks eighth in the nation based on the facts that were given out by American Medical Association. However, South Carolina's cases in AIDS have decreased since 1993. Still, AIDS is one of the biggest issues that people are worrying about in this state. AIDS is a disease, which results from suppression of the immune system related to infection with HIV. “HIV is spread through the exchange of body fluid, primarily semen, blood, and blood product” (Microsoft Encarta 98 Encyclopedia). AIDS is most likely to spread by sexual contact with an infected person whom has infection of HIV.
Of more than 15,159 AIDS cases reported in South Carolina report in June 15, 1999. “About 10,690 are African American, 9,611 are older than 29 years, 11,293 are male, and 7473 are African American male”(Microbiology and Immunology Univ. South Carolina School of Medicine). In addition, Langley discusses “South Carolina ranks eight in the nation in the rate of AIDS case." She also tries to understand why AIDS is the biggest factor in South Carolina. If AIDS has decreased already since 1993, how does South Carolina still rank in the top ten of the list?
While AIDS is slowly dominating South Carolina population, people still think it's normal and pay no attention to this issue. According to the Post and Courier, Langley describes how black people do not learn from their status as they wait until it reaches to a dangerous status of the AIDS. She states, “ Blacks commonly don’t learn their HIV status until they have full-blown AIDS and a related infection such as pneumonia or skin cancer sends them to a hospital."
In AIDS Weekly Plus, “Compared to ten years ago, the incidence rate has soared to 25 times higher for women and seven times higher for men in South Carolina.” As Kettinger discusses how AIDS is commonly transmitted in South Carolina, she states, “ The epidemic is ...