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AIDS back to top What is AIDS? AIDS stands for: Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome AIDS is a medical condition. A person is diagnosed with AIDS when their immune system is too weak to fight off infections. Since AIDS was first identified in the early 1980s, an unprecedented number of people have been affected by the global AIDS epidemic. Today, there are an estimated 33.3 million people living with HIV and AIDS worldwide. back to top What causes AIDS?

How HIV affects the body AIDS is caused by HIV. HIV is a virus that gradually attacks immune system cells. As HIV progressively damages these cells, the body becomes more vulnerable to infections, which it will have difficulty in fighting off. It is at the point of very advanced HIV infection that a person is said to have AIDS. If left untreated, it can take around ten years before HIV has damaged the immune system enough for AIDS to develop. back to top What are the symptoms of AIDS? A person is diagnosed with AIDS when they have developed an AIDS related condition or symptom, called an opportunistic infection, or an AIDS related cancer. The infections are called opportunistic because they take advantage of the opportunity offered by a weakened immune system. It is possible for someone to be diagnosed with AIDS even if they have not developed an opportunistic infection. AIDS can be diagnosed when the number of immune system cells (CD4 cells) in the blood of an HIV positive person drops below a certain level. back to top Is there a cure for AIDS? Worryingly, many people think there is a 'cure' for AIDS - which makes them feel safer, and perhaps take risks that they otherwise wouldn't. However, there is still no cure for AIDS. The only way to stay safe is to be aware of how HIV is transmitted and how to prevent HIV infection. back to top How many people have died from AIDS? Since the first cases of AIDS were identified in 1981, more than 30 million people have died from AIDS. An estimated 1.8 million people died as a result of AIDS in 2009 alone. Although there is no cure for AIDS, HIV infection can be prevented, and those living with HIV can take antiretroviral drugs to prevent or delay the onset of AIDS. However, in many countries across the world access to prevention and treatment services is limited. Global leaders have pledged to work towards universal access to HIV prevention and care, so that millions of deaths can be averted. back to top How is AIDS treated?

A community health worker gives an HIV positive patient antiretroviral drugs, Kenya Antiretroviral treatment can significantly prolong the lives of people living with HIV. Modern combination therapy is highly effective and someone with HIV who is taking treatment could live for the rest of their life without developing AIDS. An AIDS diagnosis does not necessarily equate to a death sentence. Many people can still benefit from starting antiretroviral therapy even once they have developed an AIDS defining illness. Better treatment and prevention for opportunistic infections have also helped to improve the quality and length of life for those diagnosed with AIDS. Treating some opportunistic infections is easier than others. Infections such as herpes zoster and candidiasis of the mouth, throat or vagina, can be managed effectively in most environments. On the other hand, more complex infections such as toxoplasmosis, need advanced medical equipment and infrastructure, which are lacking in many resource-poor areas. It is also important that treatment is provided for AIDS related pain, which is experienced by almost all people in the very advanced stages of HIV infection. back to top Why do people still develop AIDS today? Even though antiretroviral treatment can prevent the onset of AIDS in a person living with HIV, many people are still diagnosed with AIDS today. There are four main reasons for this:

In many resource-poor countries antiretroviral treatment is not widely available. Even in wealthier countries, such as America, many individuals are not covered by health insurance and cannot afford treatment. Some people who became infected with HIV in the early years of the epidemic before combination therapy was available, have subsequently developed drug resistance and therefore have limited treatment options. Many people are never tested for HIV and only become aware they are infected with the virus once they have developed an AIDS related illness. These people are at a higher risk of mortality, as they tend to respond less well to treatment at this stage. Sometimes people taking treatment are unable to adhere to, or tolerate the side effects of drugs.

back to top Caring for a person with AIDS In the later stages of AIDS, a person will need palliative care and emotional support. In many parts of the world, friends, family and AIDS organisations provide home based care. This is particularly the case in countries with high HIV prevalence and overstretched healthcare systems. End of life care becomes necessary when a person has reached the very final stages of AIDS. At this stage, preparing for death and open discussion about whether a person is going to die often helps in addressing concerns and ensuring final wishes are followed. back to top The global AIDS epidemic Around 2.6 million people became infected with HIV in 2009. Sub-Saharan Africa has been hardest hit by the epidemic; in 2009 over two-thirds of AIDS deaths were in this region.

Parc de l'espoir - AIDS Memorial Park in Montreal, Canada The epidemic has had a devastating impact on societies, economies and infrastructures. In countries most severely affected, life expectancy has been reduced by as much as 20 years. Young adults in their productive years are the most at-risk population, so many countries have faced a slow-down in economic growth and an increase in household poverty. HIV and AIDS in Asia causes a greater loss of productivity than any other disease. An adult's most productive years are also their most reproductive and so many of the age group who have died from AIDS have left children behind. In sub-Saharan Africa the AIDS epidemic has orphaned nearly 15 million children. In recent years, the response to the epidemic has been intensified; from 2002-2008 spending on HIV and AIDS in low- and middle-income countries increased 6-fold. Since 2008, spending has not increased so substantially, but it is still significantly higher than it was before 2002. The number of people on antiretroviral treatment has increased, the annual number of AIDS deaths has declined, and the global percentage of people infected with HIV has stabilised. However, recent achievements should not lead to complacent attitudes. In all parts of the world, people living with HIV still face AIDS related stigma and discrimination, and many people still cannot access sufficient HIV treatment and care. In Eastern Europe infection rates are rising, and in Western Europe and America there are still tens of thousands of new infections each year indicating that HIV prevention is just as important now as it ever has been. Prevention efforts that have proved to be effective need to be scaled-up and treatment targets reached. Commitments from national governments right down to the community level need to be intensified and subsequently met, so that one day the world might see an end to the global AIDS epidemic. back to top Learn more about HIV and AIDS

In addition to the hundreds of informative pages about HIV and AIDS, the AVERT website has interactive ways to learn more about HIV and AIDS.

The AVERT AIDS Game is a great way to see how much you know about HIV and AIDS. You can test your knowledge of HIV and AIDS by trying one of our online quizzes. Our photo gallery has hundreds of HIV and AIDS related photos from around the world. The AVERT video gallery has a number of short videos related to HIV and AIDS. Finally, you can read stories that have been sent to us from people who are either living with HIV or who have been affected by HIV and AIDS. email print tweet more

Where Next? AVERT.org has more about:

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Sources back to top

UNAIDS (2008) 'Report on the global AIDS epidemic' - 2008 UNAIDS (2010) 'Report on the global AIDS epidemic' - 2010 UNAIDS (2011) 'AIDS at 30: Nations at the crossroads' - 2011

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HIV & AIDS Topics

Epidemic

Global Epidemic
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AIDS & HIV Around the World Global HIV & AIDS News Introduction to the AIDS Epidemic World AIDS Day

Money for HIV/AIDS

Funding for The HIV and AIDS Epidemic President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria

How different people are affected by HIV and AIDS

AIDS Orphans Children, HIV and AIDS HIV, AIDS and Men Who Have Sex with Men Prisons, Prisoners and HIV/AIDS Women, HIV and AIDS

Issues
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HIV & AIDS Stigma and Discrimination Injecting Drugs, Drug Users, HIV & AIDS Sex Workers, Prostitution and AIDS

History

HIV and AIDS History

AIDS Timeline History of AIDS Up to 1986 History of AIDS: 1987-1992 History of AIDS: 1993-1997 History of AIDS: 1998-2002 History of AIDS: 2003-2006 History of AIDS: 2007 Onwards

Living with HIV

Living with HIV and AIDS

Am I Going to Die? Living with a Progressive Disease HIV/AIDS and Pregnancy Introduction to Living with HIV Learning You Are HIV Positive Living with HIV Stories Living with HIV: Emotional Needs and Support

Prevention

Overview of HIV prevention

HIV Prevention Around the World Introduction to HIV Prevention

Prevention of HIV transmission from mother to child

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Preventing Mother-to-child Transmission (PMTCT) in Practice Preventing Mother-to-child Transmission of HIV (PMTCT) WHO HIV & AIDS Guidelines for PMTCT & Breastfeeding

Prevention of HIV transmission through blood

Blood Safety and HIV Needle Exchange and Harm Reduction

AIDS and sex education

Abstinence and Sex Education AIDS Education and Young People Introduction to HIV and AIDS Education Lessons and Activity Plans Sex Education That Works

Prevention of sexual transmission of HIV

Circumcision & HIV Condoms: Effectiveness, History and Availability Sex Workers and HIV Prevention The ABC of HIV Prevention The Female Condom Using Condoms, Condom Types and Sizes

HIV treatment as prevention

HIV Treatment As Prevention Post Exposure Prophylaxis and Pre-exposure Prophylaxis

Science

HIV science
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A Cure for AIDS HIV and AIDS Vaccine

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HIV Causes AIDS HIV Drugs, Vaccines and Animal Testing HIV Structure and Life Cycle HIV Types, Subtypes Groups and Strains Microbicides The Origin of AIDS and HIV and the First Cases of AIDS

Statistics
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Understanding HIV and AIDS Statistics

Worldwide HIV & AIDS Statistics

Worldwide HIV & AIDS Statistics Worldwide HIV & AIDS Statistics Commentary

American HIV & AIDS Statistics

United States HIV & AIDS Statistics Summary United States Statistics by Race and Age United States Statistics by State and City United States Statistics by Transmission Route and Gender

Canadian HIV & AIDS Statistics

Canada AIDS Statistics by Year and Age Canada Statistics Summary

Latin American & Caribbean HIV & AIDS Statistics

Caribbean HIV & AIDS Statistics Latin America HIV & AIDS Statistics

African HIV & AIDS Statistics

South Africa HIV & AIDS Statistics Sub-Saharan Africa HIV & AIDS Statistics

Asian HIV & AIDS Statistics

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India HIV & AIDS Statistics South East Asia HIV & AIDS Statistics

Australian HIV & AIDS Statistics

Australia HIV & AIDS Statistics

European HIV & AIDS Statistics

European HIV and AIDS Statistics United Kingdom Statistics by Race, Age and Gender United Kingdom Statistics by Transmission Route United Kingdom Statistics Summary

Transmission & Testing

HIV transmission
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AIDS: Fear and Anxiety Can You Get HIV From. . . ? Criminal Transmission of HIV HIV & AIDS Symptoms HIV and Breastfeeding

HIV testing
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HIV Testing HIV Testing Frequently Asked Questions HIV Testing in Pregnancy HIV Transmission Frequently Asked Questions

Treatment & Care

HIV and AIDS treatment

Introduction to HIV and AIDS Treatment Starting, monitoring & switching HIV treatment

Treatment for Children with HIV & AIDS

HIV and AIDS care

AIDS and Pain HIV and AIDS Home Based Care Palliative Care

HIV and AIDS drugs

Antiretroviral Drug Side Effects Antiretroviral Drugs Table New Antiretroviral AIDS Drugs

Treatment access
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AIDS, Drug Prices and Generic Drugs Universal Access to AIDS Treatment: Targets and Challenges

AIDS-related infections
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HIV Related Opportunistic Infections: Prevention and Treatment The Different Stages of HIV Infection Tuberculosis

Other treatment and care

Alternative, Complementary and Traditional Medicine and HIV HIV and Nutrition

HIV & AIDS Around The World

Africa

The HIV & AIDS epidemic in Africa

Gay Men in Africa and HIV/AIDS HIV and AIDS in Africa HIV and AIDS in Africa Questions

The Impact of HIV & AIDS in Africa

African countries
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HIV & AIDS in Botswana HIV & AIDS in Malawi HIV and AIDS in Kenya HIV and AIDS in Nigeria HIV and AIDS in South Africa HIV and AIDS in Swaziland HIV and AIDS in Tanzania HIV and AIDS in Uganda HIV and AIDS in Zambia HIV and AIDS in Zimbabwe HIV and AIDS in Lesotho

History of HIV & AIDS in Africa

History of HIV & AIDS in Africa History of HIV & AIDS in South Africa Timeline of AIDS in Africa

Americas

HIV & AIDS in the United States

HIV and AIDS Among African Americans HIV and AIDS in America The History of HIV and AIDS in America Treatment and Care for AIDS in America

Help and advice for HIV and AIDS in America

Help and Advice for HIV & AIDS in America

HIV & AIDS in Latin America and the Caribbean

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HIV & AIDS in Brazil HIV and AIDS in Latin America HIV and AIDS in the Caribbean

Asia & Europe

HIV & AIDS in Asia

HIV & AIDS in China HIV & AIDS in Thailand HIV and AIDS in Asia Overview of HIV and AIDS in India Timeline of AIDS in Asia Who is Affected by HIV and AIDS in India?

HIV & AIDS in Europe

History of HIV & AIDS in the UK 1981-1995 History of HIV & AIDS in the UK 1996 Onwards HIV and AIDS in Russia, Eastern Europe & Central Asia HIV and AIDS in the UK HIV and AIDS in Western and Central Europe HIV and AIDS Treatment in the UK

Help and advice in the UK

Help and Advice for HIV/AIDS in the UK Who Has to Pay for NHS Treatment in the UK?

Sex, Sexuality & Relationships

Gay & Lesbian

Gay & Lesbian

Am I Gay? Are You Born Gay? Can You Stop Being Gay?

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Coming out Gay Men, Sex, Relationships and AIDS Homophobia, Prejudice & Attitudes to Gay Men and Lesbians Homosexual or Gay? How Many Gay People Are There? Lesbians, Bisexual Women and Safe Sex

Young & Gay

Being Gay at School HIV, AIDS and Young Gay Men

Resources & help

Resources for people who are gay, lesbian or unsure 'Young Gay Men Talking' booklet [PDF]

STDs
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Sexually Transmitted Diseases and STD Symptoms STD Pictures

Common STDs
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Chlamydia: Symptoms, Signs, Treatment & Testing Genital Warts: HPV, Symptoms and Treatment Gonorrhea: Including Symptoms & Treatment Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B & Hepatitis C Herpes: Symptoms, Treatment & Facts Syphilis: Symptoms, pictures & Treatment

STD Statistics
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STD Statistics and STDs in the UK STD Statistics for the USA STD Statistics Worldwide

Sex

Information about sex

Age of Consent Frequently Asked Questions About Contraception Frequently Asked Questions Condoms & Spermicides General Questions About Sex How to Have Sex Oral Sex Pregnancy Questions

Teens

Sex & Relationships

Am I Ready for Sex? Casual Sex Drink, Drugs & Sex Having Sex for the First Time More About Having Sex for the First Time Questions About Sex for Teens and Young People Relationships and Talking About Your Feelings Teens, Sex and the Law Worldwide Ages of Consent

Puberty
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Puberty and Boys Puberty, Periods and Girls Puberty, Pregnancy and Sex

Safer Sex & birth control

Advice About Condoms

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Birth Control and Contraception for Teenagers Sex, Teens and the Internet Teens and STDs

Gay & Lesbian

Am I a Lesbian? Am I Gay? Young Gay Men & Lesbians Young Gay Men, Sex and AIDS

HIV & AIDS

AIDS, Sex and Teens

Other Websites
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Go Ask Alice! Sex, Etc. BBC - The Surgery

Photos, Videos, Games & Stories

Games

Play our games to test your knowledge and skills, while learning new facts. See how much you know about HIV/AIDS and sexual health, with our AIDS Game, Sex Education Game, Pregnancy Game and Condom Game. Use your mouse to collect the right letters while avoiding the baddies for a chance to appear on our HI-scores table. Give our games a try now, and see how well you can do!

AIDS Game

Pregnancy Game

Sex Education Game

Condom Game

Photos & Videos

Our media gallery contains hundreds of HIV and AIDS related photos, videos and graphics. You can have a look around, use the search feature, or take a look at some photo selections.
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Quizzes

Try our quizzes to test your knowledge on all aspects of sexual health and HIV and AIDS. We have a Sex Quiz, Pregnancy Quiz, Condom Quiz and an HIV and AIDS Quiz. Just a beginner? Then try the quizzes' easy levels. Think you're an expert? Well try the hard quizzes.

HIV and AIDS Quiz

Pregnancy Quiz

Sex Education Quiz

Condom Quiz

Stories

Lesbian and gay stories

Coming out Stories Young Bisexual and Gay Men: Personal Stories Young Lesbian and Bisexual: Personal Stories

HIV and AIDS

HIV and AIDS in the Family Personal Stories of Men Living with HIV Personal Stories of Women Living with HIV Personal Stories of Young People Living with HIV Stories From Around the World

Talking about sex

Personal Stories of People Having Sex for the First Time Stories of Sex Education Submit a story

Featured Story
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Dan: I guess he can't accept to himself that we're both the same but I understand him that way because both of our parents are strict. and here, in our country, gays are not totally accepted.

World AIDS Day Held every year on 1st December, World AIDS Day is a date for people to think about and act upon the global HIV epidemic. HIV continues to have a devastating impact on millions of people around the world. Whilst this infection can be prevented, HIV transmission continues to occur. Although HIV can be treated, many people infected with HIV do not have access to lifesaving drugs. Find out more about World AIDS Day and what you can do on 1st December by visiting our page. World AIDS Day, 1st December 2011

Universal Access video

Temas sobre el VIH y el SIDA

Puede Contraer SIDA De. . . ? Sntomas Del VIH Y Del SIDA SIDA VIH Pruebas De Deteccin Del VIH VIH, Embarazo, Madres Y Bebs Visin General De La Prevencin De VIH Introduccin Al Tratamiento De VIH Y SIDA La Evidencia De Que El VIH Causa El SIDA Las Estadsticas Del SIDA Y VIH En El Mundo

Sexo, sexualidad y las relaciones

Cmo Se Tiene Sexo? Preguntas Generales Sobre Sexo Uso De Condones, Tipos Y Tamaos De Condones Soy Gay? Se Nace Gay? Se Puede Dejar De Ser Gay? Enfermedades De Transmisin Sexual Y Sntomas De ETS

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