NEWS

About HIV

The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) attacks cells in your body that fight off infection and keep the body healthy. When HIV has damaged the immune system, someone is said to have AIDS, or acquired immune deficiency syndrome. There is no single AIDS epidemic. The virus is found in people of all ages and walks of life.

There are 33 million people living with HIV around the world and each day more than 7400 people are infected with HIV - about 45% are young people between the ages of 15 and 24. Most of them do not have the correct information to protect themselves from HIV. This is why providing young people with information on safer sex and drug use is a key part of AIDS campaigns worldwide.

Where is HIV found?

HIV is found in the bodily fluids of a person who has been infected - blood, semen, vaginal fluids and breast milk.

How is HIV transmitted?

* Unprotected sex (vaginal, anal and to a lesser extent oral sex) with an infected person
* Sharing contaminated syringes, needles or other sharp instruments
* From mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth or breast feeding when the mother is already living with HIV
* Blood transfusion with contaminated blood

But all these ways of transmitting HIV can be prevented.

How can you limit your risk of getting HIV through sex?

* Use male or female condoms correctly each time you have sex
* Remain faithful in a relationship with an uninfected equally faithful partner with no other risk behaviour such as injecting drug use
* Abstain from sex

Is there a cure for HIV?

There is no cure for HIV and treatment cannot destroy the virus. However people living with HIV who take antiretroviral drugs as prescribed can stay healthy, well and productive. Thanks to HIV treatment, the progression of HIV in the body can be slowed down and almost halted.

HIV does not discriminate, people do

HIV infection is widely stigmatized due to its association with behaviours that may be considered socially unacceptable by many people. People living with the virus are frequently subject to discrimination and human rights abuses. Together, stigma and discrimination constitute one of the greatest barriers to dealing effectively with the epidemic. They discourage governments from acknowledging or taking timely action against AIDS and they deter individuals from finding out about their HIV status.

For more information on HIV visit
www.unaids.org/learnmore