HIS 2195b IN NORTH AMERICA

HIS 2195b IN NORTH AMERICA  

Part One: 

What Do You Meme 

• My meme demonstrates the measures people took to control the spread of COVID-19 from person to person. COVID-19 was spread through body contact. Measures such as total lockdown were imposed to control meet-ups of people
• My meme also demonstrates ignorance of some people despite the deadly pandemic around. Some people partied despite lockdown measures.
• My meme depicts how mask wearing was important thing and no one missed wearing one.
• My meme assumes that everyone was aware of protective measures imposed to regulate spread of COVID-19.
• My meme assumes that although everybody should know that everyone had to put on a mask and sanitize, some people didn’t follow the measures-imposed others but chose to have their daily normal life. This depicted how risky ignorance is.
• My meme also assumes that failing to follow the imposed measures, then there is danger to only those ones who didn’t protect themselves by wearing a mask and sanitizing.

 Part Two. Part one

When reports of AIDS first emerged in the press, it was erroneously known as the Gay Disease. Part of the reason for this was the development of the Patient Zero myth: who was Patient Zero and what arguments does Richard McKay put forth to dismantle that myth? Describe AIDS (causes, symptoms, treatments, etc), and explain how government and the medical community responded to the crisis. 

The word “Patient Zero” was first coined in North America in 1980 during the early efforts to understand the spread of a deadly, HIV/AIDs. At that time, AIDS was mystery, however, eventually, it was learned to be caused by HIV virus. "Patient Zero" was created because it was thought that a single person was bringing the virus to the United States and disseminating it throughout the LGBT communities in New York and California (McKay 2014). Later on, it was discovered that this “Patient Zero” was Gaetan Dugas, a flight attendant from Canada. Thus, “Patient Zero” was Gaetan Dugas, a flight attendant in Canada, who was believed to have brought HIV virus to US and spread it around in New York and California among LGBDTQ communities. 

The myth “Patient Zero” is deconstructed by Richard McKay in his article “'Patient Zero': The Absence of a Patient's View of the Early North American AIDS Epidemic."  McKay critically examine history records and scientific literature to refute the notion that one person, Gaetan Dugas, could be designated as the origin of the AIDS epidemic in North America. In his argument, McKay notes that the concentration on Dugas as “Patient Zero” has oversimplified the complex dynamics of AIDS an also concealed the voices and experiences of the diverse individuals and communities affected by HIV/AIDS. He mentions the risk of depending on a singular narrative, which in this case, has marginalized the opinions of those living with HIV/AIDS and their communities. Additionally, McKay notes that the myth “Patient Zero” ignored the broader social, cultural, and historical context in which the epidemic unfolded. He highlights interconnected of these factors could have contributed to its spread and impact. Through his analysis of epidemiologic data and historical documentation, he notes that prior to identification of Dugas as “Patient Zero”, HIV/AIDS was already present and spreading in North America. Also, McKay recognizes stigma and scapegoating associated “Patient Zero” designation (McKay 2014).  He argues that stigma and scapegoating has spread harmful stereotypes and hindered efforts to understand the true complexity of the epidemic. McKay’s deconstruction though his nuanced examination, he invites us readers to review the dominant narratives surrounding the AIDS epidemic. He advices us to acknowledge the significance of integrating diverse perspectives, mostly those of individuals living with HIV/AIDS, in shaping our understanding of its history and legacy. 

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is the chronic, potentially a life-threatening illness caused by HIV virus. HIV interferes with the body's capacity by targeting CD4 cells that help in combating disease-causing pathogens. With its replication, the virus ruptures the CD4 cells, weakening the immune system making the infected person vulnerable a majority of diseases. HIV virus is primarily found in body fluids (McKay 2014). Therefore, it can only be transmitted through bodily fluids such as blood, semen, vaginal fluids, and breast milk. As such, the virus can transmit through exchange of body fluids either when having unprotected sexual intercourse, sharing needles or syringes used, or from mother to child during childbirth or breastfeeding. 

Symptoms of HIV/AIDS varies widely and depends on the stage of infection. The symptoms of HIV/AIDS can vary widely and may depend on the stage of the infection. During initial stages of infection, flu-like symptoms such as fever, fatigue, sore throat, swollen lymph nodes, and rash are experienced.  Some people, however, might stay asymptomatic for years despite being infected with HIV. As the virus keeps replicating in your body, immune system is weakened (McKay 2014). At this stage, severe symptoms and opportunistic infections may develop. The signs include persistent diarrhea, weight loss, night sweats, pneumonia, tuberculosis, oral thrush, and neurological complications. If one doesn’t receive treatment, HIV infection can eventually lead to AIDS, characterized by a severely weakened immune system and the onset of multiple opportunistic infections or cancers. 

Although we don’t have cure for HIV/AIDS, medical research advancement has made it possible to control the disease by treatment. For instance, antiretroviral therapy (ART) has proved effective in suppressing the replication of the virus. By suppressing replicating virus, the viral load in the body is reduced, and slows down the progression of the disease.  There is a high chance of ART prolonging the lives of people living with HIV nd improve their quality of life if taken consistently and correctly. Additionally, use of ART reduces the risk of HIV transmission to others, preventing spreading of the disease. Other than ART, we have other supportive treatments such as prophylactic antibiotics, vaccinations, and treatment for opportunistic infections are often prescribed to manage symptoms and complications associated with HIV/AIDS. Additionally, we have prevention strategies such as condom use, needle exchange programs, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), and early diagnosis and treatment are essential. All these reduces the spread of HIV and minimizing its impact on individuals and communities. 

A significant backlash and controversies at the start of the epidemic was faced by both the government and medical community. The government and medical community not only had no coordinated action on HIV/AIDS but also no knowledge about it (McKay 2014). Hence, it led to developing stigma, and discrimination as well as no people who wanted to support the victims at that time. However, as the situation was deplorable, more resources began being set aside by the government’s especially of developed countries towards HIV/AIDS research, and prevention eventually its treatment. Through funding, the medical community discovered and developed antiretroviral therapies and through clinical trials assessed their efficacy. Furthermore, public health strategies were launched to commence the awareness to the public about the mode of transmission and safer sexual practices. However, the abovementioned barriers limited its effectiveness despite the treatments and awareness, and it remains a challenge globally. 

Part 3:For most of human history, the medical profession had little sense of viruses or bacteria, with best guesses guiding their response to infectious disease. Reflecting on what you have learned in this course, what connections would you draw between at least two historic epidemics you have learned about in this class (excluding whatever disease you discuss in Part Two) and the Covid-19 pandemic? In what ways has coronavirus behaved like these pandemics, and in what ways did it differ? Finally, what lessons learned from the Covid-19 pandemic should be applied to future pandemics? 

As the class comes to an end, I have come to realize that from Small Pox: Arrival to Red Plague to COVID-19 pandemic, a lot has changed in the medical understanding of epidemics. I believe that understanding of epidemics among medical experts has evolved from mysticism and best guesses to a more scientific comprehension of viruses and bacteria.  This is evident when we compare responses to the historic epidemics such as the small pox and 1918 Flu to the recent COVID-19 pandemic. The smallpox epidemic, for example that devastated Indigenous populations upon contact with European settlers, shares parallels with the COVID-19 pandemic in terms of its global spread and devastating impact on vulnerable communities. Likewise, the 1918 influenza pandemic, also known as the Spanish Flu, provides insights into the societal disruptions caused by a highly contagious respiratory virus, akin to the challenges faced during the COVID-19 crisis. 

The smallpox epidemic is a notable example of how the spread of infectious diseases negatively affects marginalized groups.  During the small pox outbreak, Indigenous populations lacked immunity to the disease. This is similar modern certain groups today, such as the elderly and those with pre-existing health conditions, are more vulnerable to severe illness from Covid-19. Moreover, the approach to addressing a smallpox epidemic, such as quarantine and vaccinations, also easily correlate with public health measures during the Covid-19 pandemic. Similarly, the 1918 influenza pandemic serves as another proof of the complex relationship between global health and the spread of rapidly spreading and difficult-to-control viruses, especially with limited medical expertise and resources. The similarities between 1918 FLU, Small Pox and Covid-19 emphasize the importance of co-opted communication and response strategies.  

Notable similarities are evident between the two historic pandemics, Small Pox and the 1918 Influenza and the COVID-19 pandemic. Just like the smallpox epidemic and the 1918 influenza pandemic, significant similarities can be denoted in their global spread, impact on vulnerable populations, and disruption of societal norms. COVID-19 has displayed a noteworthy capacity to transcend borders and affect diverse communities worldwide much like smallpox, which devastated Indigenous populations upon contact with European settlers. This is similar to 1918 influenza pandemic, which spread rapidly across continents. The infectious nature of these three diseases was responsible for their fast transmission and devastating impact. Additionally, like in smallpox and the 1918 pandemic, COVID-19 has affected marginalized communities including people with underlying health conditions, socio-economically disadvantaged, and elderly, including those with underlying health conditions and the poor. 

Other than the similarities noted above, the behavior of COVID-19 pose some differences when compared to smallpox and the 1918 influenza pandemic. While the smallpox was exterminated through vaccination campaigns   and the 1918 influenza pandemic that was subdued due to natural immunity and changes in viral strains, the trajectory of the COVID-19 pandemic remains uncertain. The emergence of new variants, challenges in vaccine distribution and uptake, and persistent gaps in global preparedness have prolonged the duration and severity of the COVID-19 pandemic beyond initial projections. Additionally, the rapid spread of COVID-19 in ways that were not possible during previous epidemics has been facilitated by the unprecedented interconnectedness of the modern world, characterized by global travel and trade. 

Thus, medical expert’s understandability of viruses and bacteria has evolved significantly from the time of these historic epidemics. Notably, the issue of containing and lessening the impact of infectious diseases has remained relatively consistent across time. The current COVID-19 pandemic is an adequate case in point. In this way, the lessons learned from past epidemics remain a reminder of the need for endurance, adaptability, and collective support in protecting public health and minimizing future pandemics’ impacts. We should invest in public health and health infrastructure, impose countermeasures (medical and non-medical), enact risk communication and public health measures and finally, invest in people and partnerships to combat future epidemics effectively.

 References  

McKay, R. A. (2014). “Patient Zero”: The Absence of a Patient’s View of the Early North American AIDS Epidemic. Bulletin of the History of Medicine, 161.