Aids South Africa

HIV or human immunodeficiency virus is the cause of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome or AIDS. AIDS has grown into a world wide epidemic, but AIDS in South Africa is especially acute. So severe is AIDS in South Africa that at least 1,000 people die of the disease every day.

In the United States and in other countries, the incidents of AIDS had its origins with the gay male population. But AIDS in South Africa is a heterosexual disease that is affecting men and women, including children. Entire families are dying from the disease of AIDS in South Africa.

South Africa experienced a severe change in its political climate with the end of apartheid. Government and media attention were focused on the end of apartheid, while ignoring the spread of AIDS in South Africa. As a result, the disease had reached epidemic proportions before it began to receive the attention it deserved.

AIDS in South Africa could be less severe if more people used the new HIV/AIDS drugs that are available. However, access to medical treatment is not readily available. Much of this is due to the fact that the Government of South Africa has not taken the drug as seriously as other countries have.

As a result, AIDS in South Africa has become the cause of the majority of the deaths in South Africa. Life expectancy in South Africa is only 54 years. Hospitals in South Africa have become overburdened with the disease. Teachers are dying of the disease, which leaves less qualified people to teach the young.

The government of South African is beginning to take AIDS in South Africa seriously. With increased government participation, drug availability and education about the disease, it can begin to filter through South Africa which will lead to a decrease in the number of cases of the disease and the number of deaths.