Kaposi's Sarcoma - Awareness

Awareness

Only 6% of homosexual men are aware that KS is caused by a virus different from HIV. Thus, there is little community effort to prevent KSHV infection. Likewise, no systematic screening of organ donations is in place.

In AIDS patients, Kaposi's sarcoma is considered an opportunistic infection, a disease that is able to gain a foothold in the body because the immune system has been weakened. With the rise of HIV/AIDS in Africa, where KSHV is widespread, KS has become the most frequently reported cancer in some countries.

Nigerian bandleader Fela Kuti succumbed to the disease in 1997. Classic Kaposi's Sarcoma (CKS) is a variant of Kaposi's sarcoma which is found in Jews, Arabs and other non HIV infected people.–

Because of their highly visible nature, external lesions are sometimes the presenting symptom of AIDS. Kaposi's sarcoma entered the awareness of the general public with the release of the film Philadelphia, in which the main character was fired after his employers found out he was HIV-positive due to visible lesions. By the time KS lesions appear, it is likely that the immune system has already been severely weakened.

Read more about this topic:  Kaposi's Sarcoma

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