Impact of Pandemics on the Society
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The pandemics observed in the modern world not only have an impact on the infected persons but they also have a major effect on the entire society. To begin with, these widely spread diseases destabilize the financial structure at the national and global levels. This is due to the intense research activities aimed at comprehending the casual agents and predisposing factors of these illnesses in addition to the attempts of obtaining a lasting remedy for the ailments. For instance, swine flu is one of the key pandemics in the modern society. Accordingly, analysts assert that this severe ailment may require a funding of more than $ 3 trillion in terms of its control proceedings. In addition, the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), which has been evident in most East Asian countries, led to a decline of more than $ 32 billion in these national economies[1].
Some of the pandemics in the modern society including such ailments as HIV/AIDS and SARS have affected the business environment. This is because a significant number of people infected with such diseases are not in a position to complete their official duties competently and within the stipulated timeframe. This has forced most of the commercial organizations to introduce technological tools and tactics as a way of dealing with cases of absenteeism and low productivity among the human resources. In line with this argument, analysts assert that this trend is likely to transform the business environment and society drastically. Since these technologically advanced equipments are more efficient in the completion of certain tasks, the rate of unemployment is likely to increase. This will lower the leaving standards of the people suffering from these diseases as well as those of their dependent relatives.
Some of the historical factors that have led diseases to become pandemics in the modern world include the cultural beliefs and values of different communities. For instance, for a long period, a significant percentage of the general populace has been reluctant to publicize their HIV status. This is because of the disgrace associated with this ailment[2]. However, failure to seek medical help at the early stages of the disease lowers the immunity of the person under consideration. In addition, lack of psychological counseling is largely responsible for deliberately spreading the virus to uninfected people. Another factor that has led to such diseases transforming into pandemics is the existing myths. Some people prefer using traditional remedies to cure such diseases as opposed to seeking professional guidance from a recognized healthcare center. This has made it difficult to control such diseases, an aspect that has transformed them into pandemics.
Nonetheless, there are certain responses that have aided in reducing the threat posed by these ailments. This includes the numerous campaigns conducted by participants in the public health subsection as well as other authorities in different departments within the local and federal governments. This has been helpful in enlightening the general populace on some of the factors that cause or facilitate the ailments in addition to approaches of coping with the diseases. The relevant authorities have also increased funds intended for the acquisition of prescriptions and other useful components[3]. Similarly, the policies incorporated in the workplace have aided in dealing with these global problems. For instance, in the modern business environment, it is unethical and prohibited to discriminate an employee due to his or her health status.
An evaluation of HIV/AIDS and SARS highlights certain differences and similarities. In terms of difference, HIV/AIDS is a gradually acting virus that affects the immune system while the SARS virus acts fast and affects the lungs. In addition, the SARS virus incubates for a few days unlike the HIV virus, which takes several years before the first symptoms are observable. Another difference between these two diseases is the mode of transmission. AIDS is a sexually transmitted disease while SARS is an airborne ailment. Furthermore, the fatality rate of SARS is about 10 % with that of HIV/AIDS being 100 % if not treated appropriately[4].
Nonetheless, there
are certain similarities between the two ailments. To begin with, the discrimination
associated with both diseases in different social settings is intense. Since
their identification as pandemics, people infected with SARS or HIV/AIDS has
experienced bigotry at the workplace or social gatherings. This is because of
the misinformed myths associated with these ailments. For example, at the initial
stages of the identification of these diseases, employers retrenched a significant
portion of workers diagnosed with the ailments. This is because of the
perception that such illnesses such as HIV/AIDS are communicable[5]. In
addition, the local and federal governments of various countries have
experienced major difficulties in their efforts to control these pandemics. They
have had to increase the funding used to cater for the needs of the infected
people as well as the costs of preventing further spread of the pandemics. The
impact of these diseases on the economy of these countries also highlights
their similarities.
Bibliography
Laden, Lisa.
2010. We heard the bells the influenza of 1918. [Baltimore,
Md.]: U.S. Dept. of Health and Human
Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
[1] Laden Lisa, We heard the bells the influenza of 1918. (Baltimore, Md: U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, 2010), 49.
[2] Ibid., 56.
[3] Ibid., 60.
[4] Ibid., 71.
[5] Ibid., 99.