Abstract:
For the past twenty-seven years, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) has become a worldwide pandemic. Due to the properties of HIV, such as its fast replication rate and error-prone reverse transcriptase, researchers have been unsuccessful in finding a cure or vaccine. Researchers have, however, developed a treatment regimen that has been successful in prolonging the lives of thousands. Two first world countries where this disease continues to be a problem are France and the United States (U.S.). Both countries have had major breakthroughs with research since the 1980’s, but how is each country responding to treating their patients? Results show that around thirty percent of HIV/AIDS patients of HIV/AIDS patients in France, and thirty percent of HIV/AIDS patients in the U.S. do not receive HAART. This is due to the cost of the treatment, healthcare problems, and social stigma still attached to being seropositive. Therefore, there is room for improvement in both countries in the way they manage treatment for HIV patients.
