Harrison & McCraw 1

Janara Harrison Mariah McCraw

Mrs. Smith
English 10 College Prep
2 December 2016
A Deadly Infection
Is it fair for a child to come into the world without a fighting chance? There would be
way more chances in Africa if the spread of HIV and AIDS didnt have an pandemic affect on
most of Africa and its population. In Africa, HIV and AIDS is a problem because of a lack of
education, the quick spread of the disease, and the after effects that result in many children
becoming orphans; if people dont stop the spread of infections, then even more people will die
and be affected by it.
HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. It is a sexual transmitted disease, but
researchers believe there are more ways to get the infection other than sexual intercourse . The
first cases that were claimed to all have the infection had something in common. The groups of
people had the disease from either people who inject drugs and share injection equipment, people
who are paid to have sexual intercourses, children and youth who live on the street, people in
prison, and men who have sex with other men. The statement proves that there are more ways,
and that you dont only get it by having sex with someone, but that is a big cause as well (Hinds
28). Recently many tend to argue with more causes such as a blood transfusion (which could be a
small risk), also if the mother was to give birth to a child she would then affect her child during
childbirth, or breastfeeding (HIV). This matters because to things that can save a life can also
kill a life, because if you have been given something, or giving something to someone else while

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being unaware of an infection that person has can kill the person and whoever they might be
giving it to. In Africa people lack so much education, but its not their fault, because when
people had tried to educate them they had banned safe-sex commercials in Kenya. In addition,
in 2009, the Pope Benedict, on a trip through Africa, banned the use of condoms in general
(AIDS). This means that no one can educate the people on how they could get HIV, also that
no one can wear a lubricant which can protect them during sexual intercourses, not only could
they be transferring HIV to each other, but as well as a lot of other diseases. This decision
matters because this doesnt help contain AIDS it helps spreads it and then it gets worse, and
could spread to the rest of Africa that arent infected yet. This proves how much poverty Africa
is going through. In America we are aware of the ways to get it, how important practicing
safe-sex is. Unfortunately Africa doesnt have as much as America does, so the next step after
getting HIV or AIDS is to learn the effects and what could happen.

There are many effects that come from HIV and AIDS. These two infections allow the
body to be vulnerable and more liable to contract other diseases. For example lung disease,
cancers, tuberculosis, fungal infections, diarrhea, rashes, and lesions are all something that can
be received (Gelletly 26). The diseases above are how the infections slowly kill the people they
infect. In 2009, an estimated 11 million children orphaned by AIDS were living in Africa, and
an authoritative report estimates that by 2010, 20.1 million children will have lost one or both
parents (Copson, Raymond W). Think about the lives of the children that have been left behind
and now they most likely become malnourished and other. Africa's food supply becomes less and
less with every death from HIV and AIDS since the labor from that person is no longer there

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(Copson, Raymond W). If the spread of HIV and AIDS can be prevented then the amount of
people starving would become less. AIDS severe social and economic consequences are
depriving Africa of skilled workers while reducing life expectancy by decades in some
countries (Copson, Raymond W). Since so many people are dying the work that is done
becomes less and more people end up dying. The effects from HIV and AIDS are definitely
something that changes the lives of the people in Africa.

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Work Cited
"AIDS In Africa - Statistics And Facts About HIV In Africa | Medwiser". Medwiser. N.p., 2016.
Web. 30 Nov. 2016.
Copson, Raymond W. "AIDS in Africa." Congressional Research Service (CRS) Reports and
Issue Briefs, Congressional Research Service, 2004. Student Edition,

Gelletly, LeeAnne. AIDS and Health Issues in Africa. Philadelphia, Mason Crest, 2014.

Hinds, Maurene J. Fighting The AIDS And HIV Epidemic. 1st ed. Berkeley Heights, NJ: Enslow,
2008. Print.

"HIV/AIDS Causes - Mayo Clinic". Mayoclinic.org. N.p., 2016. Web. 8 Dec. 2016.

Ntambirweki, Pelucy. "HIV/AIDS in Africa." Encyclopedia of Science, Technology, and Ethics,

edited by Carl Mitcham, vol. 1, Macmillan Reference USA, 2005,