Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (Aids) free essay sample

Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a killer disease, viewed as the deadliest disease that human kind has ever experienced is caused by the Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). (Irwin et al xxv)   One is said to be suffering from AIDS when their immune system has completely been compromised by the virus.   According to Alexander and others in their distinguished book ‘Global AIDS’, â€Å"Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), is the medical designation for a set of symptoms, opportunistic infections and laboratory markers that indicate that one is in the advanced stage of HIV infection and has an impaired immune system†. (Irwin et al xxv). HIV Aids was first discovered in 1981 and as at 2005 approximately 40.3 million people were living with the virus. (Irwin et al 5). There are many myths surrounding the origin of HIV with some arguing that it originated from outer space or was artificially created and escaped from a laboratory. However it is argued that HIV is a natural virus that initially affected ape like creatures in Africa and man may have acquired the virus from close contacts with these creatures. We will write a custom essay sample on Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (Aids) or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page (Johnson 11). Mode of transmission.   The HIV that causes Aids is transmitted through direct contact with infected body fluids which include semen, vaginal fluids or secretions, blood as well as breast milk. Pregnant mothers can pass the virus to their babies during delivery or when they are breast feeding them. (Irwin et al xxvi).   Aids has a long incubation period and one can live with the virus without any sign of illness for up to 10 years during which they may continue to spread the virus. Some people may however develop the clinical signs of Aids sooner than this time span and the opportunistic diseases will vary from one region to the next. For instance in the sub Saharan Africa, tuberculosis will be more common as opposed to America. During the incubation stage unless a test to confirm if one has the virus it is difficult to. This factor makes the spreading of the disease easy and faster. (Johnson 10). The good news about the HIV Aids is that unlike other diseases that are airborne and hence highly contagious this virus cannot be transferred through handshake or sneezing from infected persons. This implies that it can effectively be contained if people observed positive behavioral practices. Although research has it that HIV has been found in minimal quantities in infected people’s saliva, tears and sweat there are limited chances of one acquiring the virus through these secretions. HIV is unable to survive outside the host and will therefore not be transmitted when outside the host. Research has also established that insect’s bites such as mosquitoes do not transmit the HIV. (www.cdc.gov) Risk factors   The risk factors for the acquisition of the HIV AIDS include having unsafe sexual relationships with many partners as well as using intravenous drugs. There are however some social economic factors that increase the chances of one acquiring the virus. Poverty, discrimination as well as gender inequalities increase the chances of one acquiring the HIV. (Irwin et al xxviii). Women in the sub-Saharan Africa tend to be most affected by HIV Aids which could be attributed to the high level of gender inequality as well as poverty levels in the region. Extreme poverty sees some women result to prostitution where they cannot effectively negotiate for safer sex in the highly patriarchal societies. (Suad and Afsaneh 4). The polygamous nature of men in the region also has a role to play in the spreading of the virus in the sub Saharan region. Even in marriage some men are known t be promiscuous or unfaithful and though they may be aware of the danger this poses to them their wives continue to have unprotected sex with them. Gender discrimination sees many women get infected as their say is rarely respected. (Okeyo and Allen 20-25). Poverty also sees many young girls engage in sexual relationships with older men who offer them financial support. (Suad and Afsaneh 160). This increases their chances of contracting the virus as in these societies the pleasures of men will be prioritized to those of women. Negotiating for safer sex while there is a level of financial dependence and in a highly patriarchal society would be a difficult task. Preventive measures Since the major method in which the HIV AIDS is transmitted is through sexual intercourse with infected persons, the chances of being infected can therefore be reduced through the use of male or female condoms. Adoption of safer sex especially for those who have more than one sex partners can be an effective way of reducing the chances of getting infected. Proper usage of latex condoms can effectively reduce HIV aids transmissions. The lambskin condoms may not be very effective as they may have natural pores that can allow the passing of the virus from an infected partner to uninfected partner. (www.cdc.gov). Among the intravenous drug users the chances of contracting the virus can be significantly reduced if they stopped sharing needles as well as other injection equipment as one infected person can transmit it to other persons through this. (Johnson 15). The application of â€Å"PMTC† or the prevention from mother to child through short course antiretroviral medication before delivery can also has an important role to play in reducing the chances of transmission from the mother to the child. Blood supplies especially among the medical professionals must also be handled with care to avoid contracting the virus. (Irwin et al 9). People with the virus ought to live healthier lifestyles where they observe balanced diets, exercise well and have adequate rest. Rigorous education programs to ensure the creation of awareness across all populations is essential in all populations. People should be offered accurate information on how the virus is contracted, the behavioral risks and how they can prevent themselves from contracting it. (Nokes 3). Encouraging people to get tested is also an effective strategy as with this knowledge unknowing transmissions would be minimal. Treatment   Sadly, there is no known cure for Aids but through the antiretroviral medication (ARV), AIDS is medically managed. The ARV’s stops the HIV from replicating thus reducing the amount of virus that is running in a patient’s blood stream consequently restoring the immune function. The ARV treatment should be continued for life and it is known to have less severe side effects although with time patients may have some level of resistance to some medications. (Irwin et al   Xxvii).  However these medication is attributed for the reduced AIDS related deaths as well as the enhancement of life to those who apply it. Challenges curbing the war on Aids.   Barriers to effective prevention methods which are quite in clear in theory are associated with people’s cultural as well as economic orientation. Ignorance and misinformation about HIV aids continue to hinder the successful fight against the deadly disease. Another challenge is that despite their positive contribution is prolonging and enhancing the lives of many, the ARV medication remains inaccessible to many especially in the developing countries. (Irwin et al   xxviii). Some cultural backgrounds also make the war against Aids a difficult task especially in the third world countries where the topic of sexuality is perceived as a taboo and consequently highly avoided. Works cited: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. HIV and Its Transmission. Retrieved on 13th May 2009 from http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/resources/factsheets/transmission.htm Irwin, Alexander, Millen Joyce and Fallows Dorothy. Global AIDS: myths and facts:   tools for fighting the AIDS pandemic. South End Press, 2003 Johnson, Paula. HIV and AIDS. The Rosen Publishing Group, 2007 Nokes, Kathleen.   HIV/AIDS and the older adult. Taylor Francis Publishers 1996 Okeyo, M. and Allen K. â€Å"Influence of widow inheritance in epidemiology of AIDS in Africa†. African Journal of Medical Practice vol 1 (1): 1994. 20-25. Suad Joseph and Afsaneh Najmabadi. Encyclopedia of Women Islamic Cultures:   Family, body, sexuality and health. Brill, Publisher 2003

hfd essays

hfd essays The story of Jekyll and Hyde explores the concept of both good and evil existing at the same time in the human being. Although both are present, one of the two usually prevails. Like Robert L. Stevenson's novel, Macbeth explores this concept as well. Although good and evil exist in Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, we see the two at different times. When Lady Macbeth pushed Macbeth to murder Duncan, her "evil" side was conquering his "good" side. In this way, "evil" prevailed over "good." Throughout the play, we see Macbeth and his wife in a constant struggle between the "good" and "evil" within In the conclusion of Macbeth, the final battle between Macbeth and Macduff is encountered, where in conclusion goodness prevails o'er evil. Macduff holds Macbeth's head, in a final declaration of success, whereby the evils are punished, and the good are rewarded. This signifies the final power shift of the play, in the event that goodness finally Finally, this play teaches some quite important moral values: that one should never let power influence rational decisions; that honesty eventually prevails; that ambition can be extremely dangerous; and that ultimately, good always overcomes evil. Darkness prevails until the final painting of light morning skies over the hills I find this story striking, powerful and terrible. In this tragedy, prevails a climate of a cursed fatality. There is a deep feeling of mystery. We feel an atmosphere of fear all along "Macbeth". And Macbeth is such an interesting character ! In fact, it's an infernal charm who will take him in a trap and this victorious and ambitious warrior will succumb to temptation. All along this tale, we experience the presence of the three witches of the night. I think Macbeth's crime wasn't very necessary ...

Arab-Israeli Conflict and its impacts on International relations Research Paper

Arab-Israeli Conflict and its impacts on International relations - Research Paper Example That action immediately led to the first military conflict between Israel and few Arab countries, followed by a series of major Wars as well as minor conflicts between them throughout the second part of the 20th century. Among these conflicts, the Suez Crisis and the Six Day War were considered to be the important wars, because those wars not only impacted the geographical ‘make-up’ of the area but also impacted the international relations of various countries. That is, the international relations of the involved Arab states, Israel as well as then superpowers, United States and Soviet Union underwent changes, with alignments and realignments happening. USA and Soviet Union played ‘major’ roles in impacting or even ‘dictating’ many countries’ international relations in that period. Because of that role, equations between them, as well as their relations with the Arab states and Israel evolved maximally due to the Arab-Israeli conflicts impacting the International relations from 1945. Although, during the First Arab-Israeli conflict, USA and Soviet Union sided with Israel, realignment started happening before the Suez crisis and during the Six Day War, wit h Soviet Union siding with the Arab states, while USA supported Israel and also tried its best to maintain its neutral stance. This paper will discuss how Arab-Israeli conflicts reached the crescendo during the Suez Crisis and the Six Day War impacting the international relations of not only the involved countries but also other major countries. Genesis of the Conflict Before the World War I (1914-1918), the present day territories of Israel and Palestine were under the control of the Turkish Ottoman Empire.1 However, with the Arabs feeling discriminated under Turkish control, they fought and drove out the Ottomans with the aid of the British, who were against the Ottomans for their support of Germany. British elicited the support of the Arabs to fight against the Ottomans by promising to give them, the conquered land. In 1916, the British Commissioner in Egypt, Sir Henry McMahon gave a promise to the Arab leadership that in the aftermath of the war, former Ottoman provinces can be given to them. â€Å"I am empowered in the name of the Government of Great Britain to give the following assurances†¦Great Britain is prepared to recognise and support the independence of the Arabs in all the regions within the limits demanded by the Sherif of Mecca.†2 However, in 1917, the British Foreign Minister Arthur Balfour gave another commitment to the leading Zionist leader, Lord Rothschild that Britain is committed to â€Å"the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people†, which came to be referred as the as the Balfour Declaration. 3 When the British got the territories through the League of Nations in the aftermath of the First World War, they minimally allocated the territories to the Arabs, and kept Palestine under their control.4 This mixed stance of the British continued for years to come. During these years, there was heightened inflow of the Jews into these territories. The Jewish Immigration to the Holy Land, which was go ing on since the 1880s

Analaysis ratio Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Analaysis ratio - Research Paper Example In comparison, Tesco offers massive return to its share holders. The trend resembling that of Morrison, the ROE of Tesco also decreases in the financial year 2009. From investor’s point of view, it is far more lucrative to invest in Tesco as compared to Morrison’s as the earlier gives an attractive return on the investments. Return on Capital Employed Being quite similar to the ROE, the ROCE of Morrison’s also illustrates that the profits of the company declined after the financial year 2008. One reason for decrease in the ratio could be due to the fact that in the years subsequent to the financial year 2008, the Morrison’s might have issued new shares in order to raise capital. It has been generally observed that it takes time for the fresh injected capital to generate the desired returns and even if it does, it is not in proportion. ROCE is better in Tesco comparatively which represents that the company is providing expected and lucrative returns to both the financers and shareholders. Net Assets Turnover The net assets turnover analyzes how effectively the company is utilizing its asset in generating the sales revenue. Morrison’s net assets turnover ratio increased in the financial year 2009 as compared to 2008.

A Dolls House as a Problem Play

A Dolls House as a Problem Play A Dolls House is one of the major realistic problem plays of Henrik Ibsen. In A Dolls House, Nora Helmer is the main character. She is the wife of Torvald Helmer, who is a bank manager. The story happens when Christmas is coming. To keep the job in Torvalds bank, Krostad, who is the man that Nora borrowed money from to pay the trip to Italy to cure her husband, threatens her that he will tell Torvald she forged her fathers signature to borrow money if she doesnt help him to talk with Torvald. She tries to do what Krostad wants because she is fearful that she will lose the family when Torvald knows about that. However, what she is afraid of happen. She spends a whole night to think about what happened, and she realized that Torvald and she dont understand each other. Finally, she decides to leave him and her children to discover her own life where she can find her own self. By separating the various themes of faux marriage and broken family, Henrik Ibsen focuses on the place of women with Nora as his central character. Nora chooses divorce at the end to free not only Torvald but also herself. Just holding a marriage without love, communication, trust, and toleration, the marriage between them cannot last forever. The reasons that lead to divorce in the play are relevant in the world today. Love is the first base to build a strong marriage. Without love, marriage will be destroyed easily. In A Dolls House play, the marriage of Torvald and Nora is seemed very happy, but truthfully, Torvald didnt really love Nora. With him, she is woman who is under his control. After her forging her fathers signature is disclosed, she realizes that her marriage is built without their real love. Torvald pretends to love Nora, and she pretends to love him. She feels that she is living a lie while she lives with him as a doll. She did and thought the same as what he said. Nora claims, à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦You arranged everything to your tastes, and I acquired the same tastes. Or I pretended toà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ I dont really knowà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ I think it was a bit of both, sometimes one thing and sometimes the other. When I look back, it seems to me I have been living here like a beggar, from hand to mouthà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦(Ibsen 858). When Torvald asked whether she had been happy living with him or n ot, she answers no although she hopes that she was. Therefore, building a marriage without love definitely hurts the relationship between husband and wife as it hurt the relationship between Torvald and Nora. A balance of love is needed in any marriage. Another quality that leads to failed marriage in the play and the world today is the lack of communication. Two soul-mates need to communicate in a relationship. Because Nora understands Torvalds character and doesnt want to let him worry, she didnt talk to him about borrowing money from Krogstad to cure his illness. Moreover, when they talk to each other, they always say about money and work. In the Act I, Nora is seen as a spendthrift her husbands eyes. She always says money when Torvald asks her what she wants. Because of that fact, Torvald seem to be a person who really loves his wife when he agrees with all her requests, but he didnt know what she really wants. The lack of communication makes them cannot understand each other. In the play, Nora realizes that they didnt talk enough through eight years when she says, We have now been married eight years. Hasnt it struck you this is the first time you and I, man and wife, have had a serious talk together? (Ibsen 858). The answer wa s no. That is why Nora didnt tell her husband about her secret. Just because of the poor communication, a marriage can never hope to live onward. Although love and communication are important in marriage, trust is also necessary to build a marriage stronger. Torvald had almost no trust in Nora. When Nora needed some money to buy some things for Christmas, he jeered at her. He state, à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦if only you really did buy something for yourself with it. But it just get mixed up with the housekeeping and frittered away on all sorts of useless thing, and then I have to dig into my pocket all over again (Ibsen 815). With spendthrift character, Nora lacks trust in her husband, and it is not good for their marriage. It makes them have no trust or even suspect each other. Without trust, marriage becomes impossible. Last but not least, toleration is also necessary in marriage to help them closer. Although they have a good relationship, if they dont have toleration, they will be separated. In the play, both Torval and Nora dont have toleration. This is one of the reasons that lead to their divorce. When Torvald know about what Nora have done, he very angry and doesnt want to forgive her for her fault. He even requests that she has to stay away form him. When he reads the second letter from Krosgtad, he is calmed down and forgives for her fault, but it was too late because she realizes that he didnt love her. She is the same as her husband. She cannot forgive for a person who cares nothing more than him. She finally decides to leave her family to discover a new life where she can find her own self. She says, If I never reach any understanding of myself and the thing around me, I must learn to stand alone. Thats why I cant stay here with you any longer (Ibsen 859). With the strong tone, her determi ned attitude about leaving is shown up although Torvald begs her to stay with him. In conclusion, A Dolls House is a great play of Henrik Ibsen. A Dolls House leaves us a message that holding a marriage without four qualities above is impossible. The marriage of Torvald and Nora Helmer had many problems because they got married without real love, hold their marriage without trust, have the poor communication to understand each other, and have no toleration to forgive for their faults. A Dolls House teaches us a lesson that getting married with our loves is easy, but keeping our marriage can last forever is not easy as we thought. Work Cited Ibsen, Henrik. A Dolls House. Literature for Composition. Ed. Sylvan Barnet et al. 8th ed. New York: Longman, 2007. 813-862.

Gender Stereotypes Among Childrens Toys Essay -- Stereotypes Toys Gen

Gender Stereotypes Among Children's Toys   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   When you walk into the toy section of any store, you do not need a sign to indicate which section is the girls’ side and which section is the boys’ side. Aside from all the pink, purple, and other pastel colors that fill the shelves on the girls’ side, the glitter sticks out a lot as well. The boys’ toys however are mostly dark colors – blue, black, red, gray, or dark green. The colors typically used on either side are very stereotypical in themselves.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  I noticed the girls’ toys engaged fine motor skills more than the boys’ toys did. The girls have several different types and sizes of dolls to choose from – however, this also makes dolls or items used with dolls (Barbie clothes, doll clothes, doll houses, Barbie cars, and doll furniture) over half of all the products in the girls’ section. This shows the stereotypical attitude that all girls like to nurture and will someday be expected to be mothers and the primary care giver for their children. Other toys I noticed that were very stereotypical were the child size vacuum, broom, and kitchen set. Even at this young age we teach girls it is part of their role to cook and clean.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Another stereotype I saw demonstrated in the girls section was the idea that all girls are animal lovers. A large section of the girls’ side was filled with different stuffed animals or other toy animals like â€Å"Pound Puppies† or â€Å"My Little Ponies†. Mostly the girls’ toys used fine motor sk...

A Man for All Seasons: Play About Thomas More Essay

A Man for All Seasons written by Robert Bolt is a play about a man, Thomas More, who lives by his beliefs and eventually dies because of his beliefs. The play has a simple theme, played out through a few main characters. Rich’s character and personality prevent More from being successful. The first appearance of Rich in the play happens right away in the first scene. This is the first time you get to see his personality. Rich and More have an argument, as to whether every man is capable of being bribed. Rich believes that money, status or women, can bribe anyone. More doesn’t agree with him completely but is intrigued with his belief that a man can be bought with materials. Rich is referring to the fact that he has read Machiavelli, which More later teases him of. Machiavelli’s morals are different from More’s. More admires his private conscience above things like personal advancement, but Machiavelli gives advice about the opposite. Rich’s reference to Machiavelli seems to show that he and Thomas Cromwell will spare no one to achieve success later in the play. At the end of the scene More tells the duke that Rich needs a job, but that he doesn’t necessarily recommend Rich, which displays More’s view of Rich. More is a well respected man, so his opinion on someone would be a valid one. Right from the beginning of the play you can see the difference between Rich’s and More’s characters. More obviously cares for Rich’s well being. Rich’s lust for power and wealth in the end gets the best of him and any kind of guidance or advice given from More is ignored. It’s interesting to note that More does care for Rich. In his interaction with Rich in the first scene, More teaches by testing Rich by offering him the goblet, letting Rich know that the goblet was a bribe and is therefore ? dirtied’. More understands Rich’s faults from the beginning of the play, but he tries to nurture Rich anyway. This is another excellent example of More’s superior character. It’s unfortunate that Rich eventually perjures himself to sentence More to death. A Man for All Seasons focuses on Rich’s rise in status almost as much as it does the fall of More. More and his beliefs get him death, while Rich gains greater status and more and more wealth, at the cost of his friend More. Throughout the book you can see Rich fall deeper and deeper into his own loss of innocence. At the end of Act One, Rich and Cromwell are having a conversation. Cromwell offers Rich the job as Collector of Revenue in return he wants information about the goblet given to him by More. Rich ? laments’ that he has lost his innocence, â€Å"I’m Lamenting. I’ve lost my innocence (44). † The scene seems to show that Rich has sold his soul to the Devil. In this scene Rich isn’t entirely sure about what he is doing which shows that at this point there is still some humanity left in him. The final fall of Rich’s character occurs at the end of the play when Rich takes the stand at Mores trial. Rich is asked to testify about his conversation with More before the trial on what More’s stance was on what the King was doing. Rich says, â€Å"Parliament has made our King Head of the Church. Why will you not accept him?†¦ Then he said parliament had no power to do it (94). † By perjuring against More he has pulled the final straw and officially hands himself over to greed and lust for power. More’s standout character is shown once again when he says to Rich, â€Å"In good faith, Rich, I am sorrier for your perjury than my peril. † In the end for perjuring against More Rich is given the job of attorney General of Wales. Throughout the play we see the fall of Thomas More and the rising of Rich. The contrast of Rich’s gain in status and Mores loss of status, really makes the play. It seems that the author doesn’t try to make his characters stand for anyone thing in particular, but in Rich’s case he is a symbol of the tendency to surrender to the temptation of wealth and status. Throughout the play you never get any real depth of Rich as a person. This seems to be what the author is trying to do because Rich works as a perfect contrast to More without taking anything away from More’s character. Without the contrast of Rich’s character we wouldn’t get to see who More really is. Rich’s character shows us all what impact money and status can have on us.