Summary of Article
The article by Center for Disease Control on people living with Aids gives some of the guidelines that should be followed by people who are infected with the virus to lead healthy lives. The article starts by giving the statistics about this infectious disease. According to this article, over one million Americans are living with this virus today (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2013). This article notes that although the numbers of people living with the virus remain high in the United States, their lives have been made better because doctors have found a medicine that suppresses the virus and reduces its prevalence in the body.
One of the most important issues that people living with this virus should observe is to stay healthy. This means that the victim should take medicine as prescribed by the doctor. This will help maintain the level of their CD4 count relatively high. This will help reduce virus load within the body. Another issue that should be observed by those who are living with the virus is to share their condition with their partners. This is important to ensure that the victim does not infect the other partners with the virus in case they are negative. The victims will also be able to discuss with the partner the possibility of either of them suffering from other sexually transmitted diseases, and the best way they can find medication for them (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2013).
The article finally talks about some of the risks that those suffering from this infection should be aware of to protect themselves and their loved ones. The article notes that the HIV virus is easily spread through fluids in the body such as semen, blood, breast milk, and vaginal fluid. It is, therefore, important to avoid circumstances where such fluids can be shared in case one partner is positive with the virus (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2013).
Significance of the article to course content and global health
This article is highly significant to the course content and global health. To the course content, this article highlights some of the ways in which HIV virus is spread from one person to another. It also talks about ways in which people can live positively with the virus once they are infected. The learners of this course will have more insights on how to deal with HIV patients once they finally get to practice nursing. This article improves their counseling skills because it enhances their knowledge about the virus.
To global health, this article is massively important. In some parts of the world, people still have unrealistic myths about this disease (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2013). For instance, there are some cases where men have been reported to rape minors because of the belief that having intercourse with a minor is a cure for the disease. These retrogressive myths have had a negative impact in the fight against this virus in various parts of the world. This article makes it clear that the only way of staying healthy once one is infected is to take medication regularly as prescribed by the doctor. This article also demonstrates that the ability of one to stay healthy for several years after infection is based on the decision he or she makes. Those who decide to lead responsible lives live longer and healthy lives. Those who are reckless easily succumb to this infectious disease after a short duration.
Reference
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2013). Living with HIV. Web.