Despite sex education and sexual contraception the number of people infected with AIDS is increasing worldwide. Since the beginning of the epidemic, so far 36 million adults and some 4 million children have contracted the immunodeficiency virus. The term “AIDS” is an abbreviation for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome. About 80% of all HIV-infections were caused through unprotected sexual intercourse, with an especially high infection-rate in Southern African states, whereas in Germany, there are are about 2,000 people contracting the virus per year.
This disease can only be repressed for many years by correct medication, so that a more or less normal life is still possible. The progression of the disease can be quite different depending on circumstances. The viruses establish themselves in the host’s genetic substance and weaken his or her immune system. Suffering from AIDS, even a chill can lead to a severe lung inflammation. There is no consistent clinical picture, but nevertheless it’s possible to divide AIDS into different phases, leading from the moment of the infection, over the onset, up to the concentration of the symptoms.
There is still no cure for this disease, however, there is a variety of medication in order to retard its onset for several years.
South Africa is considered to be the country with the highest AIDS rate on earth. Aid organisations there have to face both a lack of sex education and financial means. Especially refugee camps are a big problem for them, as they are overcrowded by wars and natural disasters.
A constantly conducted aid for AIDS is necessary due to the high infection rates in developing and threshold countries. Refugee camps often add problems, such as lacking medical treatment and hygiene, furthering the onset of AIDS and other diseases.
AIDS aid turns out to be an important task in refugee camps, but also demands high financial support, especially by industrial nations.
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