HIV/AIDS
The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a terminal illness that deteriorates the immune system by destroying specific blood cells. Over time, HIV leads to Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), the stage of the disease when the loss of cells is so great the immune system is severely damaged. Since the virus is spread via bodily fluids (blood, vaginal fluids, semen, or breast milk), transmission typically occurs through exposure to infected blood, needles, sexual activity, and/or birth. HIV can be both a cause and result of homelessness.
People who are diagnosed with HIV are at greater risk for facing homelessness. Because the immune system is progressively weakening, exposure to the elements-bacteria, weather, and so on-further and continuously threaten the health of infected individuals. The cost of healthcare and medication to cope with the infection is expensive and often becomes too much of a burden to manage. Oftentimes, individuals are discriminated against in the workplace for contracting the virus or will miss work because of health complications. The high cost of treating the virus, as well as the potential threats to employment, force many people into homelessness.
Alternatively, individuals experiencing homelessness are at risk for contracting the virus. The sheer conditions of homelessness escalate the spread of the virus. Some individuals who are experiencing homelessness are also using substances and resort to sharing or reusing contaminated needles.
Individuals experiencing homelessness and living with HIV/AIDS are an incredibly vulnerable population. Living in close proximity to others in shelters exposes infected individuals to further health complications. With close quarters, limited privacy, a variety of illnesses, and a weakened immune system, individuals experiencing homelessness with HIV/AIDS are at risk for their health condition to worsen at a much faster pace.
People who are diagnosed with HIV are at greater risk for facing homelessness. Because the immune system is progressively weakening, exposure to the elements-bacteria, weather, and so on-further and continuously threaten the health of infected individuals. The cost of healthcare and medication to cope with the infection is expensive and often becomes too much of a burden to manage. Oftentimes, individuals are discriminated against in the workplace for contracting the virus or will miss work because of health complications. The high cost of treating the virus, as well as the potential threats to employment, force many people into homelessness.
Alternatively, individuals experiencing homelessness are at risk for contracting the virus. The sheer conditions of homelessness escalate the spread of the virus. Some individuals who are experiencing homelessness are also using substances and resort to sharing or reusing contaminated needles.
Individuals experiencing homelessness and living with HIV/AIDS are an incredibly vulnerable population. Living in close proximity to others in shelters exposes infected individuals to further health complications. With close quarters, limited privacy, a variety of illnesses, and a weakened immune system, individuals experiencing homelessness with HIV/AIDS are at risk for their health condition to worsen at a much faster pace.