SSC Film Studies

AIDS / HIV

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/17131.php

Why I chose this article:

I chose this article as it provides a brief overview of what HIV and AIDS are and how they differentiate. It provides the list of early and late symptoms. 

For example:

The symptoms of early HIV infection may include:

• fever
• chills
• joint pain
• muscle aches
• sore throat
• sweats (particularly at night)
• enlarged glands
• a red rash
• tiredness
• weakness
• unintentional weight loss

Symptoms of late-stage HIV infection may include:

• blurred vision
• diarrhoea which is usually persistent or chronic
• dry cough
• fever of above 100 °F (37 °C) lasting for weeks
• night sweats
• permanent tiredness
• shortness of breath (dyspnea)
• swollen glands lasting for weeks
• unintentional weight loss
• white spots on the tongue or mouth

I chose these quotes specifically as these are the symptoms I will be comparing in the films I analyse. Depending on whether these symptoms are shown determines the accuracy of the representation. For example, does Matthew McConaughey lose significant weight in Dallas Buyers Club and did Tom Hanks have red rashes in Philadelphia?

This was written by Medical News Today which means it was written by a medical expert making it a reliable source. Therefore I trust these quotations as it has been posted by a trusted professional so I agree with them.

The main points include:

• causes of the disease / virus e.g: "genetic inheritance" "access to healthcare" "resistance to strains" "state of the individual's immune system"
• how it is transmitted e.g: "sexual, perinatal or blood transmission"
• symptoms
• misconceptions regarding transmission of the illness e.g: "sharing towels, casual kissing, sharing toilet seats, sneezing"
• treatments e.g: "HIV antiretroviral treatment is crucial for improving quality of life, extending life expectancy and reducing risk of transmission" "currently there are no vaccines for HIV as there is no cure"
• blood tests available e.g: "diagnosis is made through a blood test that screens specifically for the virus"
• alternative medicine e.g: "complementary medicine such as herbal have not yet been proven to be effective"
• prevention e.g: "healthcare professionals advise precautions related to: unprotected sex, drug abuse, needle sharing, body fluid exposure"