Women And Aids Essays - HIVAIDS, HIV-positive People,

Women And Aids Understanding the Issues of Women and HIV/AIDS Rachel Seldin, Colgate University, Hamilton NY 13346 ABTRACT: Infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) had emerged as a major health problem for women in the United States. Family physicians can play an important role in the detection and care of HIV-infected women. The epidemiology and natural history of HIV infection in women were reviewed. HIV infection is now a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among young women in the United States, particularly women of racial and ethnic minorities. Most cases of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in women occur as a result of injection-drug use or heterosexual transmission. Based on limited information, women and men appear to have similar AIDS-defining conditions. Gynecological problems are common n HIV-infected women. Pregnancy does not seem to be affected by early HIV infection, but women with advanced disease might be at increased risk for obstetric complications. More women need to be included in natural history studies and clinical drug trials. Early awareness of HIV infe ction and better access to health care services are required to improve the treatment and survival of HIV-infected women. KEYWORDS: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Pregnancy, Zidovudine (AZT), Vaginal Candidasis, Transmission Methods of HIV/AIDS, Perinatal Transmission, Women and HIV INTRODUCTION: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) has been declared ?the public health threat of the century' (1 cited in 2). The US Surgeon General has designated it as the nation's number one health priority (2). AIDS is a disease that affects the immune system. The term immunodeficiency refers to the inability of the immune system to function properly, thus making the individual susceptible to a variety of infections not typically found in a healthy immune system (3). A syndrome is a group of symptoms or illnesses originating from one cause. The main agent causing AIDS is a retrovirus known as Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). HIV is the agent of a sexually transmitted disease that can also be contracted through blood transfusions or IV drug use; the disease can also be passed on to a fetus during pregnancy. When people are infected with HIV, they are not necessarily also infected with AIDS. A person is not infected with AIDS until HIV reduces immune function to a certain level or when one or more serious illnesses related to HIV occurs. (4) Everyone is at risk of contracting the HIV virus, although women with HIV/AIDS face more difficulties living with this disease than do men. HIV/AIDS women are of special interest because they are the major source of infection of infants. Not only do they have to think about the effects on their own lives, but also they must think about their infants if they choose to conceive. In my paper, I will review the ways in which HIV/AIDS affects women differently than men, through clinical issues and gynecological manifestations. I will also discuss the virus itself and issues concerning HIV positive women who are planning to conceive. WHAT IS AIDS? In early 1983, a team at the Pasteur Institute in Paris, France led by Dr. Luc Montagnier first announced the discovery of HIV (5). They originally named it LAV, or lymphadenopathy-associated virus. However, it was not until the American team, led by Dr. Robert Gallo, called the virus HTLV-3 or human T-cell lymphotrophic virus that both teams collaborated and simplified it to just HIV (5). HIV can cause a range of conditions, of which AIDS is the worst. For example, it can lead to persistent swelling of the lymph nodes (5). Other people may have more serious symptoms but still show no sign of AIDS. This condition is known as AIDS related-complex ( ARC) (5). Some of the symptoms of ARC include swollen glands, severe or chronic diarrhea, severe fatigue, rapid unexplained weight loss, drenching night sweats, fevers, and yeast infections, Although it can be serious, ARC is not fatal (5). The cause of AIDS is not fully understood. There are other factors are involved in the development of AIDS. Once a person tests positive to HIV, alcohol or drug use, poor nutrition, high stress levels, frequent exposure to other disease (especially sexually transmitted disease), have all been suggested to increase the risk of developing full blown AIDS (5). HIV

Popular Street Artists

Popular Street Artists During a walk along the streets of most urban centers, one may encounter various artworks displayed on walls. The government does not sanction a sizeable percentage of these artworks. Street art refers to the illegal visual artwork. Street artists usually undertake their work despite the risk of arrest.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Popular Street Artists specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Various street artists have gained worldwide popularity due to their street artworks. Some of the street artists include Alexandre Farto , Christian Guà ©my, Banksy, Shepard Fairey, and Brian Donnelly. Banksy is a controversial street artist whose works are in walls in London, Brighton, and Bristol. Banksy has even exhibited his artworks on the walls of West Bank. Banksy’s real identity is still unknown. However, various sources claim to know his real identity. Banksy has many fans due to his exquisite works of art. Banksy has several celebrity fans who include Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie and Christina Aguirela (Joseph para 3). Banksy has satirical artworks that use dark humor to express their message. Banksy began his career as a graffiti artist during the early 1990s. Initially, he was a member of the DryBreadZ Crew (BDZ). During the turn of the millennium, Bansky ventured into stenciling due to the less time that it takes to stencil. The shift to stenciling enabled Banksy to gain popularity in Bristol and London. Most of Banksy’s artworks have anti-establishment messages. He uses police officers, children, soldiers, and the elderly as subjects that enable him to express himself. In 2004, Banksy made a sizeable number of fake  £10 notes that had the portrait of Princess Diana instead of Queen Elizabeth. In an effort to discredit the Bank of England, Banksy satirically replaced the words ‘Bank of England’ with ‘Banksy of England.’ During the Notting Hill Carnival, a c ertain individual dished out the fake money to the crowd.Advertising Looking for essay on art? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The notes fetched  £200 on e-Bay. Banksy uses street art to express his political views. Some of the views may be controversial. Banksy also helps in the development of other artists. He hosts various exhibitions that provide other artists with a platform to exhibit their work. In 2008, he hosted the Cans Festival in London. The festival provided a platform for various graffiti artists to display their skills. This has enabled Banksy to become one of the most famous and influential street artists. Alexandre Farto is one of the most famous Portuguese street artists. He uses the pseudonym Vhils. Vhils has been a street artist since the tender age of 13 years. He started his career by painting on trains. Vhils is a graduate of arts from the University of Arts London. Vhils credits his current popularity to the platform that Banksy provides other artists to enable them portray their skills. There are artworks of Vhils in Moscow, London, Lisbon, and New York. Alexandre Farto adopted the name Vhils, since he liked spraying the letters (Jones para 3). Vhils started doing street art at the tender age of 13 years. When he was 17 years old, he started having a different picture of walls. Walls told the history of his country. This motivated Vhils to start carving into walls to reflect the changing times. Vhils has various street artworks of everyday heroes (Jones para 6). These artworks are in various countries across the globe. Vhils tries to use street art to chronicle the changing times. Therefore, his artworks help in social development. The Cans Festival provided Vhils with a platform that enabled him to attain his current popularity. During the festival, his work appeared alongside that of Banksy. Since then, Vhils has done several shows on his own.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Popular Street Artists specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Vhils has held various shows in Lisbon, Paris, and New York. These shows have enabled Vhils to display his skills. In addition, the shows have enabled him to express his ideas. The shows also fetch Vhils a considerable amount of money. Another famous street artist is Christian Guà ©my. Guà ©my uses the pseudonym C215. C215 is a 38-year-old French street artist who hails from Paris. The countryside background of C215 made him lack any connection to graffiti or stenciling work until he was 15 years old. However, upon doing some graffiti at the young age he became bored with graffiti. He only returned to do graffiti work in his adulthood. The wish to create a souvenir by painting her daughter’s face on the streets was the main factor that motivated C215 to venture into street art. However, his street artworks gained huge popularity prompting him to become a professional artist. Therefore, C215 did not set out to become a professional artist. He became a street artist by chance. C215 grew outside the street art culture that influences most of the modern street artwork. C215 is opposed to the repetition, overconsumption, hype, and cynicism, which characterize most modern street artwork. C215 uses his artwork to give hope and dignity to the society. In so doing, he uses his artwork to shape a new civilization. Most of the artwork of C215 consists of portraits of people. He uses beggars, homeless, and refugees as some of his subjects. These subjects enable C215 to use art to express himself. These subjects help in refocusing the society on forgotten people. C215 uses artworks in various cities around the world. Some of the cities include Barcelona, Rome, and London. C215 is also involved in other commercial artwork activities.Advertising Looking for essay on art? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Shepard Fairey is one of the most popular American street artists. Fairey, 43, hails from Charleston, North Carolina. Fairey’s involvement in art started in 1984 when he was 14 years old. The quest to hone his skills motivated Fahey to join the Rhode Island School of Design from where he obtained a degree in Fine Arts in 1988. One of the earliest works of Fairey is ‘Andre the Giant Has a Posse.’ Fairey created this piece of art while he was still studying at the Rhode Island School of Design. Soon after graduation, Fairey ventured into professional artwork by creating a small printing company. The company specialized in silkscreens and artworks on various clothing. This enabled Fairey to develop his art skills. Later on, Fairey helped in the formation of various companies that were involved in professional artwork activities. One of Fairey’s most famous pieces of artwork is the Barrack Obama ‘Hope’ poster. Fairey also has various street artwor ks. However, these artworks have landed him in problems several times. The risks involved in street artwork require artists to do street artwork discreetly. Street artists may face litigation from various parties due to vandalism of their property. This is because street artists work on other people’s property. However, this does not prevent street artists from portraying their artworks in various public places. On February 2009, police arrested Fairey due to his graffiti. Fairey uses street artwork as an avenue that enables him to express his ideas. In addition, Fairey has murals in several countries. Some of the murals are in London and Copenhagen (Bofkin para 1). Brian Donnelly is another popular American street artist. The artist uses the pseudonym KAWS. KAWS hails from Jersey City, New Jersey. KAWS began doing his artwork by doing graffiti in Jersey City. In the 1990s, he relocated to New York City. In New York City, KAWS began his career by subverting the imagery on var ious billboards and advertisements within the city. In so doing, he created attractive pieces of art. These advertisements remained in their reworked form for several months. This increased the popularity of the artist. KAWS has been involved in various commercial artwork activities. During the late 1990s, he designed vinyl toys, which were popular in various countries. The success of the toys prompted him to form partnerships with various companies for the manufacture of clothing. KAWS also designed the bottle of Dos Equis, a Mexican beer. Some of the artworks of KAWS include several acrylic paintings and sculptures. KAWS has remodeled various popular iconic figures. These figures include Mickey Mouse and the Smurfs. The artworks of KAWS have enabled him to use his artwork in mass-produced merchandise. KAWS has produced various artworks that have been commercially successful as mass-produced merchandise. However, KAWS continues to engage in various fine art activities that do not i nvolve mass production. KAWS shows how artists can take advantage of existing commercial opportunities while remaining true to their profession. Bofkin, Lee. â€Å"Street artist Shepard Fairey unveils largest mural in the UK.† The Guardian. 2012. Web. Jones, Alice. â€Å"Vhils: The art of urban decay.† The independent, 2012. Web. Joseph, Claudia. â€Å"Graffiti artist Banksy unmasked as a former public schoolboy from middle-class suburbia.† MailOnline. 2008. Web.