Because of the media hype that surrounds it and the devastating effects it has on both individuals and large populations, many people have heard of the term “HIV or AIDS” at some point in their lives. Usually the terms stir up fear in an individual, partly because they know that it is a fatal disease, and partly because there is a misunderstanding as to how you can contract it.

HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. This is the virus that causes AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome). Every person has an immune system in their body which fights infection and disease. For someone with HIV, the virus locates certain crucial immune system white blood cells called T-cells or CD-4 cells, and destroys them. Thus, an HIV infected person ultimately ends up with a compromised immune system that is unable to ward off illnesses, bacteria, viruses, and diseases. When the body reaches the point where it cannot fight off these pathogens, the person is considered to have AIDS. It usually takes about 10-15 years from the time of HIV infection until full blown AIDS, although antiretroviral drugs can prolong the process.

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Twenty years ago, the word “AIDS” struck terror in Americans. Death could hide in a drop of blood.

Today, the power of word has faded: Saying “AIDS” aloud makes most people uncomfortable, not afraid. Studies find fewer Americans see acquired immune deficiency syndrome as a grave national problem.

Yet the problem still sends more than 18,000 Americans a year to their graves.

Early in the epidemic, when HIV — the virus that causes AIDS — happened in this region, most didn’t hear about it. No longer: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the highest number of Americans living with AIDS, the highest number of deaths among those with AIDS and the most new AIDS diagnoses are in the South.

In AIDS’ early days, it was confined to certain groups. Today, the virus’s reach is much broader. Though there still are some groups whose overall risk is greater, that varies by region: In East Tennessee, the gay white man is still overwhelmingly the face of HIV; in Memphis, blacks are four times more likely to be infected than are whites.

If anything positive could be said about such a destructive virus, it might be that it has united people of different backgrounds, races, religions and sexual orientations. But, as those affected will tell you, there’s still a long fight ahead.

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