What Should We Know About AIDS - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 8 Words: 2420 Downloads: 6 Date added: 2019/08/08 Category Medicine Essay Level High school Tags: AIDS (HIV) Essay Did you like this example? Abstract Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) have been around in America since the 1970s. Since then, the effect of this disease on funeral service has been a part of many precautions that have been put into place. HIV and AIDS is a highly infectious disease that can be transmitted via bodily fluids and blood. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "What Should We Know About AIDS" essay for you Create order While the main way this disease is spread is through sexual contact and sharing of needles, as an embalmer we come into contact with the body fluids, so we are therefore at a higher risk of infection. There are ways for people to get tested and treated for this disease but there is no cure. While there is treatment this does not mean the person can no longer pass on the infection, so as the embalmer this is an example of why we have universal precautions and special additional methods to ensure our safety and the preservation of the descendant infected with this disease.   HIV/AIDS and its Effects on Funeral Service HIV/AIDS arose in the United States around the 1970s. In this paper the origin, symptoms, treatment, diagnoses will be discussed. Most importantly the implications this disease has on the embalmer will be discussed. Since HIV/AIDS is an infectious disease spread by contact of bodily fluids this causes concern for professionals in our field. Its important to be knowledgeable about different diseases so that you as the embalmer can take the precautions needed. While this paper gives lots of useful information, its important to always remember the number one rule of always practicing universal precautions from first removal until disposition and even in the preparatory room afterwards. Scientific Name of the Disease HIV stands for Human immunodeficiency virus and has two types, HIV-1 and HIV-2.   The pathogen HIV causes the disease AIDS. AIDS stands for Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. This type of immunological disease is caused by a retrovirus. A virus comes in many different types but the main similarity is that they infect a host cell inside the body and use it to continuously reproduce more infected cells. A retrovirus is a special type of virus because unlike most viruses it does not contain DNA wrapped in a protein but instead RNA. The cells that this virus targets are the T cells in the immune system; the virus mutates the T cells and then continues to reproduce this mutated cell. This slight difference with the retrovirus is that it allows the virus to reproduce these mutated cells quickly and they become more resistant to treatments (Mullins, 2006). Origin of HIV/AIDS The CDC website has an article about the origin of the virus. Its thought that HIV started in African from a Chimpanzee, this Chimpanzee was infected with a different type of the virus called, simian immunodeficiency virus. Through a mutation its believed that the virus became communicable to humans. Once our human population in Africa became infected it wasnt long before we started to see it in other parts of the world. The virus is believed to have appeared in Africa in the 1800s and was first diagnosed in America about the 1970s (HIV/AIDS, n.d.). Symptoms of HIV/AIDS Due to the progression of HIV to AIDS and the many other opportunistic pathogens associated with this virus there can be many different symptoms that may appear in people diagnosed with HIV or AIDS. There are three stages of the disease as it progresses from HIV to AIDS. Stage 1, acute HIV infection, symptoms typically appear 2 to 4 weeks after the initial infection of the virus. As the body naturally reacts to the virus infection, flu like symptoms may appear. These symptoms do not always appear in every case. This can be dangerous because during this first stage of the disease the infected person is very contagious, so if you are a person that does show these symptoms you may not know that anything is wrong for a while. In addition to the symptoms not appearing, tests may show up with a false negative, even though you can still have and spread the virus. Stage 2 is called the clinical latency (inactivity/dormancy) stage. Again this stage does not always present symptoms, especially if the person is actively being treated. Even though the virus is dormant the person may still be able to spread the virus to others. If a person is actively being treated they may stay in this stage for many years. The treatment keeps the HIV in the blood low so that the immune system is not as badly affected. Its once the HIV has progressed to a point where the immune system is very low that it can no longer fight off infections that the disease progresses to AIDS. The symptoms specifically associated with AIDS include: chills, fever, sweats, swollen lymph glands, weakness and weight loss. This is in addition to the low T Cell count (HIV/AIDS, n.d.). Its at this point where people start to acquire the opportunistic pathogens because the bodys immune system cannot control fighting them off any more. This means that the symptoms associated become much worse as well as a result of the other diseases the person may now have. Treatments for HIV/AIDS While there is no cure for the disease there is fairly successful treatment available. The treatment used and recommended today by the CDC is antiretroviral therapy (ART). ART is a combination of drugs taken by HIV patients. What this drug does is it lowers the amount of the HIV virus in the blood. Lowering the amount of the virus allows people to live longer lives even with the disease (HIV/AIDS, n.d.). The main side effects of the ART medication shouldnt cause serve differences in the body in regards to post mortem effect. Post Mortem Effects of HIV/AIDS   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The post mortem effect of this disease really varies from case to case. With proper treatment patients affected are able to live for a long time with minimal problems. In this case, the living and post mortem effects may be unnoticeable. Other patients may have progressed further in the disease making them more susceptible to opportunistic pathogens due to their low immune system.   Mentioned later is all of the other diseases are associated with HIV/AIDS. Diagnoses and Testing for HIV/AIDS To find out if you are infected with HIV finding a testing center or purchasing an at home testing kit from your pharmacy is the first place to start. Since symptoms are not always present when first contracted, its important if you are sexually active or in a medical health professions to get regularly tested at your local doctors office. There are three different types of tests available they are: nucleic acid test (NAT), antigen/antibody tests, and antibody tests. The NAT test looks for the virus in the blood and the antigen/antibody tests look for HIV antigens and antibodies that the body would be naturally producing if infected with HIV (HIV/AIDS, n.d.). Tests either use blood or saliva and there are tests that can be done at a medical facility or at home. It is always recommended and in your best interest to follow up with your medical doctor. Transmission of HIV/AIDS HIV is considered to be an STI, a sexually transmitted disease, meaning it can be spread through sexual contact. The virus can enter at the vaginal opening, penis, rectum or orally. Sexual contact is not the only way that the virus can spread, any contact with infected blood; this can be through physical contact of wounds, blood transfusions and most commonly in drug users. HIV can also be spread from mother to child during birth or from breast milk, but this is less common (Mullins, 2006). Drug use is one of the most common ways that the virus is spread; this is from using contaminated needles that are shared. This is important for embalmers to note because in the event of a needle-stick injury the virus can be spread very easily. Opportunistic Pathogens associated with HIV/AIDS Patients that are diagnosed with AIDS are susceptible to opportunistic infections due to the diseases effect on the immune system. Having a suppressed immune system makes the body more susceptible to infections. Similar to how the elderly are often at a greater risk. Most often the parts of the body that get infectious are the central nervous system, the mouth, lungs, kidney, large intestine, small intestine and the skin. The central nervous system can contact disease such as Meningitis, Encephalitis, and AIDS dementia. Diseases seen in the mouth are Herpes labiallis and Thrush. Disease seen in the lung is pneumonia. In the Kidneys, AID nephropathy. In the large intestine is Colitis and Procitis. The small intestine mal-absorption is often seen. Dermatitis, Folliculitis and Impetigo are infections on the skin. Lymphoma and Kaposis sarcoma are also diseases seen (Mullins, 2006). Many of these disease can be life threating when the are a secondary infection of HIV/AIDS, because the imm une system is suppressed these infections are more difficult for the body to fight off.   The normal T cell count can be around 10 when the normal count is typically around 1,000 T Cells (Muller, 2006). Precautions for the Embalmer As discussed in the textbook, Embalming History, Theory and Practice, every embalming should follow the Blood-borne Pathogen Rule. This rule has three parts, universal precautions, engineering controls and work practice controls (Mayer, 2012). Universal precautions mean that you treat every single case in the preparatory room as if it is an infectious disease case. While embalmer by law are supposed to be notified of an infectious case, that does not always mean they are aware. Proper personal protective equipment such as gloves, ventilation mask, face shield, arm covers, smock, shoe covers and a hair net and important for the embalmer to have. Protecting your skin from direct contact is very important. Disinfecting, sterilizing your tools and workspace prevents any body fluids from contaminating the work area. Disposing of sharps in the correct container (handling them with care) and other materials in the biohazard container will help with stick injuries and contamination. Dont for get about during the removal too, wear your personal protective equipment and dispose of it correctly.   The threat to embalmers is not AIDS itself, although the infection can be spread through need-stick injuries. The threat to embalmers is the potential of spreading and contracting opportunistic infections (Mullins, 2006). In a conversation with two embalmers, Mr. Gilbert and Mr. Omatis I asked if either of them had ever embalmed an infectious disease case and what advice they would have. Mr. Gilbert and Mr. Omatis both expressed to be how important universal precautions were and how as long as they are followed that rule not much in the methods used is very different. Mr. Gilbert mentioned that he is sure to wear extra protection if he knows its in infectious case, particularly a face mask and a face shield, he said that sometimes he will even double glove (Gilbert, 2018). Mr. Omatis had a similar response but also told me how he has almost encountered two needle stick injuries while embalming an AIDS case. Mr. Omatis told me, Youll never feel your heart drop to your stomach so fast when you almost poke yourself with the needle or the trocar, especially if its an autopsy case. Mr. Omatis expressed the importance of taking your time and doing procedures the correct way to avoid any skin puncturing inju ries. Its very important before the embalmer starts the embalming process to complete a pre-embalming analysis. The embalming analysis will be notes taken about the conditions of the body before the embalming preparations are started. Because there are so many infections and diseases that appear with AIDS, the conditions of a decedent with AIDS may have vary widely. By properly completing the pre-embalming analysis the embalmer can make note of what special precautions must take place and what extra steps might be needed. There are certain methods of drainage that the embalmer may consider to use to minimize exposure to the blood and to minimize the airborne pathogens. The two methods that may be considered are using a drain tube or direct heart drainage. The center of drainage come from the right atrium of the heart, the method of direct heart drainage is taking the drainage during embalming directly from the right atrium. The method of direct heart drainage is a good technique for infectious cases because it will minimize the exposure of the blood to the air, therefore creating a safer environment for the embalmer. This method is done by inserting a trocar into the right atrium, where the aspirator can be turned on slightly to start the movement of blood out of the body, then can be turned off. The blood will exit the heart through the trocar, through the tube attached to the trocar and into a bottle or the drain. Using a drain tube is a similar technique because it will keep the drainage of blood contained in a tube, and into the drain to minimize exposure.   There are a variety of drain tubes that can be used for different areas of the body (Mayer, 2012). Special Methods used in Embalming In the text book, Embalming History, Theory, and Practice, embalming treatments that are recommended for a contagious disease case it says use solutions a little stronger than normal (2-3%); run plenty of volume; avoid personal contact with first drainage; run volume and increased strengths depending on other body conditions (Mayer 2012).   A higher index and higher solution will make sure to fixate the proteins to help stop microbial growth. The reason to avoid contact with the first drainage is because that will be the most infectious of the blood; other drainage would have come into contact with the arterial fluids.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   HIV and AIDS is an important disease to be knowledgeable about in funeral service. From its origin, the transmission and the embalming implications there is a lot to be aware of. Because this disease is an infectious disease spread by body fluids and blood, the funeral director and embalmer should know how to treat the body for both personal protection and so that the body is preserved in the best way possible to prevent other infection and to help the family view their loved one before final disposition.   The most important aspect to remember is to always follow universal precautions and take your time to analysis and preform the correct procedures.

Analysis Of Geoffrey Chaucer s The Canterbury Tales

Geoffrey Chaucer Thinking of Geoffrey Chaucer one may only consider him as the author of The Canterbury Tales but like most authors they are not only their best works. Unfortunately for most late poets and authors their history isn’t much known, it is usually not documented in general. Yet fortunately for Chaucer he has worked for people who do get their history written about which makes his past a little more well known than other poets of his time. So of course with this there are biographies that appeal to legend like many major figures from the past but also with Chaucer there is known, loose, factual history based on mostly receipts and some fill in the blank. I will go with the receipts and will be writing about Chaucer’s forefathers, his early life, then his middle years, later years and death, then I will go more in detail about his major poetry works as it is difficult to place many of them into certain points in the timeline and also about the influence of his works on the linguistic and literary levels. Several previous generations of family before Chaucer were merchants in Ipswich which is one of England’s oldest towns, forming around the 7th century. Chaucer, in his book The Canterbury Tales, even poked fun of the merchants from Ipswich probably knowing exactly how they are. Though his own father and grandfather weren’t employed at Ipswich, they were both vintners in London. Vintners are specifically wine merchants, though they could also include theShow MoreRelatedAnalysis Of Geoffrey Chaucer s Canterbury Tales Essay1670 Words   |  7 Pagesto better themselves. 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Teenage Brain Term Paper Free Essays

Cleve Harrison PYSCH 1030 Guerin 9 March 2013 Inside the Teenage Brain Every human being on the face of the earth went through those fun, party filled teenaged years. During this time most everyone experienced mostly the same awkward moments. The time when teens feel they know everything, and are an adult. We will write a custom essay sample on Teenage Brain Term Paper or any similar topic only for you Order Now How is this explained and how does brain development explain how and what we learn? In a PBS documentary â€Å"Inside the Teenage Brain† by Sarah Sparks this is explained in a great amount of information. Did you know that during the teenage years, this is when the most development occurs? People often wonder why it seems like their teens have been invaded by another body or why their baby suddenly wants to be separate from them. A study done by Dr. Jay Giedd who ran a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) on his own son shows some of the difference. An MRI is a magnetic field used to excite the atoms in the body and the energy emitted by these atoms is used to construct a computer-generated picture of the brain. (Pastorino) The MRI was used to show stages of the brain over time from early childhood into the teen years and comparing that with images from an adult brain to show what the differences were. One of the biggest finds in the brain development of the teenage years was the fact that that frontal cortex of the brain takes on the image of a babies brain right before a child turns to their teenage years. This sort of â€Å"growth spurt† is responsible for a wave of over-thinking mainly due to the level of thickness in the gray matter or thinking part of the brain. (Sparks) As humans age the gray matter thickens and the executive part of the brain is formed during the teenage years. This is due to the neural connections in the frontal cortex of the brain as they are larger in a teen’s brain than in the normal adult. This also is where the stages of pruning begin. This gives the brain shape for future strengths of what is learned. For example if you come from a family of mechanics and you are constantly under the hood of a car you are more likely to have a strength in fixing an engine or have a more natural lean towards that, instead of say cooking. (Sparks) Another aspect to explore is the characteristics of the brain during the teenage years. Most teens need nine and a quarter hours of sleep each night to be vivid enough to start their school day. This study shows that most teens get an average of about seven and a half hours of sleep instead. (Sparks) Part of the reason for this as the events going around in the teens life, this is the discovery period of video games, late night television and when the brain tends to kick in more in teens and gives them a â€Å"second wind† instead of allowing sleep. The program shows that teens who get more sleep, primarily REM sleep, tend to have better functions than those who get less. One of the major characteristics of development is the interior prefrontal part of the brain. In teens this has less function than in adults, but the flip side to this is the emotional region of the brain in teens is more active than that of adults. This explains why teens have baby like tantrums if they don’t get their way or we hear the infamous grow up or act your age from parents to their children. Other aspects in the characteristics include the cerebellum of the brain. The cerebellum changes the most in teens, this gives teens the ability to coordinate their thoughts into cohesive and understanding sources. This is also the reason teens are more likely to experience more with drugs and alcohol as this is the time when curiosity gets the best of people in their adolescent stages. (Sparks) In some states, an attempt to get teens the full recommended sleep has led to a later school start. In Minnesota, school starts a full hour later than it used to begin. While this has led to more attentive students in the first part of the classes it has also began to affect extracurricular activities which are also very important in the development of teens. This also affects family time. Given all the new findings adults are learning better ways and more understanding ways to relate. Teens want relationships with their parents and want them to ask if something is wrong and have open discussions with them. Kids want more one on one time instead of feeling like they are being forgotten or ignored as children. This study has shown that teens who have a better relationship with their parents tend to fair better in society and develop better. While teens still want some form of independence, they still want the reliance that is there for them if the need it with their parents. (Sparks) Growing up we all have experienced the ups and downs and the fun that is being a teenage. From the awkward start of puberty through the first driving experiences it is easy to understand why we were all so rebellious. For me, being very close to my mother and not so much to my father it was a little different. Being one of twins and with a sister ten years older than me it was almost like being a generation apart. During my teenage years my father had my brother in the tobacco field while I was at home with mom and have a more care-like nature about me. During my teen years I fought more with my mother, while still staying close to my father. Whereas my brother was out doing regular teenage stuff, experimenting with drugs, alcohol and having sex. During my teen years extracurricular activities were very my teen stuff. I was a band nerd, journalist and part of the student government and enjoyed my after school time. While looking back I wish I had been more sports active for more social skills I grew up with that yearning to learn. Being close to my parents in my teenage years allowed me to shape my future. I took care of my parents at the close of their lives while my brother was more secluded and off to his own not knowing how to deal with what was happening. I am happy to have had the experience as a teen of growing and learning more from my parents and family than doing the party thing. The learning experience from the PBS Special is invaluable. Learning why and how we all react as teens gives hindsight to everything experienced. The good, the bad and that embarrassing. Works Cited Pastorino, Ellen, and Susann Doyle-Portillo. What Is Psychology? 3rd ed. Australia: Wadsworth/Thomson Learning, 2006. Print. Sparks, Sarah. â€Å"Inside the Teenage Brain. † PBS. PBS, 09 Mar. 2002. Web. 09 Mar. 2013. How to cite Teenage Brain Term Paper, Essays