Causes of spread of HIV/ AIDS in Africa

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Causes of spread of HIV/ AIDS in Africa
HIV-1 and HIV-2 are the types of viruses that cause the AIDS disease in humans. HIV-2 virus is commonly found in West Africa while HIV-1 virus dominates the entire world (All Life, 1). The HIV viruses are related to Simian Immunodeficiency Viruses also known as SIV that is found in monkey and other apes. In 1959, Central Africa recorded the first human to test positive for HIV virus. The theory of the origin of HIV was that the virus was extracted from the Simian Immunodeficiency Viruses that was transmitted from animal species to the human population in between the year 1930-1940 (All Life, 1). The transmission was facilitated through the act of slaughtering and eating of bush meat especially from the monkey by the Western and Central African people.
The HIV virus is contact through direct exchange of specific body fluids like semen, blood and vaginal fluid. The virus can access the body through the mucous membranes during sexual intercourse, or direct injection of viruses into the blood vessels. However, sexual intercourse is the major mode of transmission of the HIV virus globally. In detail, HIV is transmitted through unprotected anal or virginal sexual intercourse with an infected individual. Secondly, an infected mother can transmit the virus to child through breastfeeding and is referred to as Vertical transmission. Thirdly, the virus can be transmitted through injection from using conta…