Hiv/aids Portrayal in Precious

HIV/AIDS Portrayal in Precious

Joy Chang

BLG 599

November 19, 2017

Introduction

There are many myths surrounding HIV/AIDS, from transmission to the “death sentence” to stigma such as a homosexual’s or drug addict’s disease. This paper will investigate the real science of HIV/AIDS and how it is portrayed in the film “Precious”, focusing on transmission and current treatment. The paper will also evaluate the social impact of the myths and the real science behind HIV/AIDS. HIV/AIDS exploded in the 1980s, mainly known as the homosexual disease, people were cruel in treatment to those who are and those who may be infected. People believed that even from sitting in the same toilet seat would get them infected by the “gay disease” (Avert, 2017). The stigma and myths carried into the 21st centaury, despite countless researches and studies being done and the advancement in medicine, the society seemed to stop at the 1980s-1990s. Many still think that contact with sweat or urine, kissing or hugging can transmit HIV/AIDS virus. As well as many still use HIV and AIDS interchangeably, not recognizing there is a difference. Thus, it is still important and relevant to advocate and answer the myths and stand for those who are HIV positive.

Discussion

HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency virus, it is a kind of virus that targets the immune system of the body. The virus attacks CD4 cells, they are also known as T-helper cells and they are one of the types of white blood cells in the body. The virus makes copies of themselves in CD4 cell, spreading themselves in the body undetected by other white blood cells. HIV destroys more and more of the CD4 cells and causing the immune system to be compromised (Avert, 2017). Many of those who are HIV positive who did not receive treatment often become so weak that they cannot fight off harmless infections. Since they hide in body’s immune system, there has not have a cure for HIV. Transmission of HIV/AIDS is still one of the biggest myths in the society. HIV virus is found in semen and pre-seminal fluid, blood, vaginal and anal fluids, and in breast milk. The fluids then must either enter the blood stream by injection, be in contact with an open wound, or be in contact with mucous membrane that are found in rectum, vagina, penis and mouth (CDC, 2017). In other words, HIV can only be transmitted through specific activities or incidents. Hugging, kissing, or even insect bites would not be able to transmit the virus. According to CDC (2017), in United States, the most common ways of transmission are unprotected sex and sharing needles. Less common ways are mother to child transmission and being struck with needle with HIV, this usually concerns the health care workers. Much less commonly spread is by oral sex, contact between wounds and membrane with HIV-infected blood, and open mouth kissing that both happen to have open sores, bleeding gums.

AIDS stand for acquired immune deficiency syndrome. AIDS is not a virus like HIV, AIDS is the last stage of HIV, where the person’s immune system is too weak to fight off infection. Most cases of AIDS end in death especially if they are left untreated. With better treatments, less people who are HIV positive will develop into AIDS (Avert, 2017).

Understanding HIV/AIDS is important as it will enable one to analyze the media, films and shows interpretation of HIV/AIDS and recognizing the myths and stigma portrayed in them. In the film “Precious”, a young black girl named Precious suffers sexual abuse from her father and bullying in school. Later it was discovered that her father died of AIDS, and that Precious is HIV positive. The ignorant and abusive mother was not and that Precious’s son conceived from rape from the decease father was not as well. There are also other portrayals in the films that indicate the characters’ lack of education on HIV, such as when the mother vigorously rub her hands with hand sanitizer or told Precious that she is not HIV positive because she did not have anal sex with the deceased father. Starting with the part where the mother told Precious that she should be tested because her father just died of AIDS, and that she herself must be negative because she did not have anal sex with the father. Other than the unrealistic quick timing of finding out the cause of death, the myth that HIV is only transmitted through anal sex stopped many from seeking help. The part where Precious found out her son is not HIV positive is pleasantly correct, although it is possible to transmit the disease from mother to child, the chance is not high especially in mothers who are receiving HIV treatment. In the film, Precious said she would stop breastfeeding her child because of the discovery could be critiqued. This indicate Precious understands that HIV can be found in breast milk. However, mothers who are HIV positive are advised to continue breast feeding while receiving antiretroviral drugs (WHO, 2010). Then in the scene where the mother washed her hands in hand sanitizer before bringing Precious’s child to Precious showed that the mother’s lack of understand in HIV transmission. The film is not ignorant of transmission of HIV as it was made in 2009, many of the myths and stigma has been debunked. The film is supposedly made to showcase the human side of this disease. However, placing the characters as black, uneducated, poor, and showing, on purpose, uneducated remarks and action about HIV, does not help with public’s understanding. The public had already limited knowledge, the film does not clarify the myths and stigma, rather it portrays it further.

Societal impacts

Since the HIV/AIDS epidemic starting in the 1980s, many have forgotten the pain and suffering. Many have stopped themselves from being educated and updated in the research of HIV/AIDS. However, those who are updated, understand that HIV cannot be transmitted through most actions and that it is no longer a death sentence. If the public would be made aware of the real science of HIV transmission, there would be less stigmatization and more people would be willing to be tested and treated. More people would practice safe sex, and support safe needle sites for those who may share needles. As well as the modern medicine have developed pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and post exposure prophylaxis (PEP), as well as a safer antiretroviral medication (CATIE, 2011). PrEP is taken by people who does not have HIV but are at risk of being infected. It is a pill that a person at risk take every day to prevent the permanent infection. PEP is taken by those who suspect they may be infected with HIV within 72 hours of exposure. Most often they are taken by health care member who may be infected. Some may take after they had un-protected sex and can afford the medication. These medicines are making HIV a whole new type of virus, much like birth control pills where you can either take daily pills to prevent pregnancy or plan B to prevent pregnancy. Currently it is not included in OHIP, but can be prescribed and bought and health care workers are covered by hospitals if it is work related. This means in a sense, it can be prevented even before or after exposure. People may take for granted and abuse the use of PEP or PrEP. It may cause people to stop using condoms and engage in more dangerous activities, but at the same time it will protect those who are sexually assaulted like Precious. As well as for the new antiretroviral medicine, it is no longer causing many of the side effects the old version used to cause. Many can live a healthy and fulfilled life by taking one pill a day. There has also studies done examining that the antiretroviral medication work so well that the viral load is undetectable. This means that if the person who is HIV positive, taking their antiretroviral medicine were to be tested for HIV, it will appear negative. This means the risk of transmission is lower if they were to have unprotected sex with a person who does not have HIV. This again can be abused, but it can also protect many.