African American Women and HIV/AIDS

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Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection among U.S. women has increased alarmingly over the last decade, especially among African American and Hispanic women. HIV destroys a certain kind of blood cells (CD4+T) which are crucial to the normal function of the human immune system. Although there have been great strides made in the development of drugs to help combat HIV, there still is no cure for the deadly disease caused by HIV, acquired immunodeficiency disease (AIDS), and of women living with AIDS, 75% are minority women. All women who have sexual contact with an HIV-infected person or who use intravenous drugs are at high risk.

AIDS is the second leading cause of death for African American women ages 25-44. In this age group, these women die from AIDS 12-13 times more than white women of the same age.

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I am doing a speech on how this new phemoneon has a taken control over our race and women. This is a big scare to me because women contracting this disease have been in, supposedly, "monogamous" relationships with their husbands and significant others for years. Additonally, many women find out they have the disease while at the doctor for a regular check-up.

How do you all feel about this new epidemic? How often does it cross your mind? Is it okay to ask potential significant others if they've been tested for HIV/AIDS? If they get offended when the question is asked, should that be a sign they're hiding something? Can't wait to hear your responses...