Question

A person in your colony has recently been diagnosed with AIDS. People/ residents in the colony want him to leave the colony for the fear of spread of AIDS. Write your view on the situation, giving reasons.

Answer 1

Hint: AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome It is a deficiency of the immune system, acquired during the lifetime of an individual indicating that it is not a congenital disease. AIDS was first reported in the USA amongst homosexuals in 1981 and in the last years or so, it has spread all over the world killing more than 25 million people. In India, AlDS infection was detected in 1986.

Complete answer:
AIDS is caused by Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), a name given in 1986 by the International committee on viral Nomenclature. This virus belongs to a group of viruses called Retrovirus which have an envelope consisting of a lipid bilayer derived from host cell membrane and projecting knobs like glycoprotein spikes with pedicel forms of virus coded glycoprotein.
This envelope encloses the RNA genome (single stranded RNA filament is segmented into two identical filaments and associated with a reverse transcriptase enzyme). HIV consists of a core RNA with Reverse Transcriptase surrounded by a protein coat.

Transmission of HIV- AIDS:
1) Through sexual contact with an infected person.
2) Through transfusion of infected blood.
3) Through use of infected needles which are used intravenously.
4) An infected mother can transmit to her child through the placenta.

People who are at high risk of getting AIDS infection are:
1) Individuals who have multiple sexual partners.
2) Drug addicts.
3) Individuals who require repeated blood transfusions.
4) Children born to an HIV infected mother.

So, people should not ask them to leave society, but they should make suitable preventions.

Note: It is important to note that HIV/AIDS is not spread by mere touch or physical contact. It spreads only through body fluids. Hence, it is imperative for the physical and psychological well-being of the infected person, that they are not isolated from family and society.