An HIV Update – The Four Ages of AIDS

In observance of World AIDS Day, December 1, 2001

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There have been some interesting developments in the world of AIDS. AND there are some disheartening changes  occurring also, such as the rate of infection in some of the more underdeveloped countries like those in Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. The numbers of people becoming infected in these countries are still very high. Availability of education, testing and treatment is very limited and only those who can afford to pay for these services are able to access them.

The numbers of people still becoming infected in OUR country are consistently high. As of December 2000, almost 775,000 persons had been reported with AIDS, and about 58% of those persons had died. The number of persons now reported to be living with AIDS (almost 323,000 persons) is the highest ever reported. Approximately 800,000 to 900,000 persons in the United States are infected with HIV and it is estimated that as many as one- third of these persons may not know they are infected. The rate of male-to-male infection had been decreasing nationwide – but now there is a trend showing an increase in young homosexual youth who, like teenagers in general, feel totally invincible. The increase in the heterosexual population is steady. In the inner cities, especially, there are more and more women being diagnosed HIV positive – largely due to IV drug use (needle sharing) and prostitution. Over all, more women than men are becoming HIV positive – with the majority of them being teens and young adults – ages 14 – 26. This doesn’t mean that we can slack off on education to certain segments of the population – absolutely not---but it does show that we are lacking in many areas and need to reassess our strategies.

I am a firm believer in the need for more sex education to be taught first at home and also in the schools and churches – and the importance of starting this education at a very early age. If parents will take the opportunity to explain – in language appropriate to the age of the child at the time – why certain words or acts are inappropriate as soon as they occur, and do this in a calm, non-threatening way, they are setting the stage for a child who is willing to explore words or actions with the parent or even ask questions of a more serious nature. By establishing this confidence level, it should make it a lot easier for all concerned to talk about relationships and the consequences of experimental sexual activity.

Another aspect to all of this which has surfaced in the last few years is the increase of HIV infection in the older generation. We have people who are single again due to death or divorce and, thanks to the many singles groups, singles clubs, senior centers and internet dating services, many more people are entering into dating situations. Because the issue of pregnancy is usually not relevant, they are not taking the necessary precautions and an increase in all the sexually transmitted diseases – including HIV- has been noted nationwide and is increasing at an alarming rate. What does this say to us? It means that more education is needed for everyone and especially for our seniors. If you know someone over 50 who is dating again, make sure that he or she is aware of the possible risks and that they know that there are necessary steps and precautions to take to ensure their well being.

So….What are four "ages" connected to the past 20 years since HIV/AIDS was first recognized? In the early 1980’s, we were in the AGE of CONFUSION. HIV had been identified. The first known cases happened to be found in young homosexual men and AIDS was briefly, and I emphasize BRIEFLY, thought to be a disease of homosexuals only. Very soon it became evident in the heterosexual population but, again for a short time, we were not sure of the mode of transmission.

When the methods of infection were subsequently publicized, we moved into the AGE of HYSTERIA. Children were removed from schools or classrooms by parents who were afraid of infection from other children – people avoided other people for various reasons.

Eventually the message began to get through and folks returned to some semblance of normal – in fact they went right back to their old ways and we entered the AGE of IGNORANCE. I have a dog who understands far more than he lets on – and I call him "selectively stupid". I’m afraid that many people chose to ignore much of the factual information which was being disseminated throughout the media and became "selectively ignorant" when it came to behavior changes.

This has brought us into the AGE of COMPLACENCY. There have been many breakthroughs made in the pharmaceutical world which provide a number of options for treating people infected with HIV. However, these are treatments only and not cures. The medications are expensive, toxic, and have to be taken several times a day. They allow the damaged immune system to recover somewhat, but not fully, and they keep the patient healthier longer. True, we are not having as many deaths with the frequency that we used to – but the people are still sick and require care and support. HIV/AIDS has ceased to make the headlines and many people equate that to the end of the epidemic. That’s where complacency comes in.

We HAVE come a long way, but "it ain’t over yet" and we still have a very long way to go. I am encouraged by the progress we have made in this battle, and I’m eager to see what they’ll do next.

The chair of the Episcopal Church’s Committee on HIV/AIDS has said, "Sadly, but positively, the AIDS pandemic has brought together all the world’s religions to address a universal disaster and to discover how very much in common we do have when it comes to compassion, mercy, love, and grace to our sisters and brothers of the human race. AIDS and CELEBRATE are not usually two word that go together, but think:

"We celebrate the love and commitment shown by countless families, friends, lovers, and buddies who have been caretakers and partners on the journey.

We celebrate the decreasing isolation and prejudice experienced by those with AIDS as society becomes more compassionate and supportive.

We celebrate the lives of those who have died – and the chance we had to know and love them.

We celebrate those who are living with HIV/AIDS right now and their triumph daily over struggles caused by this disease.

We celebrate what all of us have learned about living one day at a time and appreciating the time we have with those we love.

We celebrate the many volunteers who have given their time to make other’s lives just a little bit easier and sweeter.

We celebrate all those who have participated in AIDS walks and made panels for the magnificent AIDS quilt which now covers acres.

We celebrate years of AIDS healing services.

We celebrate God’s love throughout this pandemic – to affected and infected.

We celebrate the realization that so many have come to through their involvement with people with AIDS – that God has no other hands than ours to heal and comfort and console and embrace. The warmth of the sun travels on the air, but the warmth of God’s love can travel only through each one of us.

We celebrate the reality that many more people have learned Micah’s words to "do justice, love goodness,, and walk humbly with God" in the pursuit of an end to AIDS."

"We know that all things work together for good for those who love God".

I sincerely believe that we are well on the way to seeing HIV/AIDS become a chronic, treatable condition like Diabetes and Hypertension. However, unlike diabetes and hypertension, this will remain a contagious disease which, again, unlike the other two, is entirely preventable. We must press on with education for all – at home, in the churches and in the schools. Only with education and prevention will we win this battle. I am committed to AIDS education and will be more than willing to speak to any groups or individuals who would be interested in learning more about HIV or any other health issues. YOU are the number one person on your own health team – so take advantage of any opportunity to enhance your knowledge and share it with your families.

Jean Gifford, R.N., is a retired health educator for Wayne County, Indiana. Her article is adapted from a sermon at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.