Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, also known as AIDS, was first seen in the United States in gay men in 1981. By 1982 the term AIDS was created and was seen in hemophiliacs and Haitians living in the United States, AVERT.org reports. By 1983 there were 3,000 AIDS cases in the United States that included women and children. In 2007 there was an estimated 470,902 people living with an AIDS in the United States.
Patients
A person with HIV/AIDS will need medical and emotional support. The person will have to take medications for the rest of his life to help slow the progression of the disease and to treat any infections or illnesses that they contract. According to AVERT.org, taking care of a person's emotional needs helps improve his quality of life. Participating in HIV/AIDS support groups can help people with AIDS deal with their feelings and find support with others who are going through the same thing.
Families
When families are told that their loved one has AIDS, family members may not know how to react; they may have questions, they may worry about the person's health and what will happen when the person dies. Participating in support groups, learning about AIDS and taking time to have fun are ways to support someone with AIDS, AVERT.org reports.
Community
Many people with AIDS need support from the community to receive medical care, social services and finical assistance. According to the Global Health Council, providing people with AIDS these resources can drain a community economically and structurally. Some of these people with AIDS held positions as teachers, police officers, medical care workers and other careers that provided a service to their communities. People with AIDS may have to take off from work to recover from an illness, and some people will not be able to work.
Costs
According to the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, AIDS can affect the economics of local communities and countries. The countries that are most affected are those that have limited resources for medical care. Without proper medical care and medications, people with AIDS will be sicker and unable to work. The families of people with AIDS may have to spend their savings and investments to pay for health care costs.
Stigma
People with AIDS may be rejected, discriminated against, abused and mistreated by their family, friends, people at their place of employment or at school. The AIDS stigma can prevent people from getting tested and possibly continue to spread the virus. According to AVERT.org, the AIDS stigma can also keep people with AIDS from getting medical treatment in fear of what others may say or think about them.
