- HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a virus that infects the cells of the immune system lessening its ability to fight off other infections and diseases.
- HIV can be transmitted several ways:
- Unprotected sexual activity
- Transmission of infected blood
- Sharing of infected needles or other sharp instruments
- From a mother to her baby during pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding
- 34 million people live with HIV worldwide.
- HIV is the world’s leading infectious killer.
- About 25 million people have died from HIV since it’s discovery in 1981. Roughly 1.7 million died of HIV/AIDS in 2011 alone.
- Of the 3.34 million children living with HIV, most (about 97 percent) live in sub-Saharan Africa and were infected by their HIV-positive mothers during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding.
- 1 in 5 Americans living with HIV are unaware they are infected.
- Gay and bisexual men of all races are the most radically affected by HIV in the U.S.
- Most people living with or at risk of contracting HIV do not have access to prevention, care, or treatment. As of 2013, there is no cure for the virus.
- Many of the countries hardest hit by HIV also suffer from other infectious diseases (like AIDS and malaria), food insecurity, and lack of proper water and sanitation.
- Every 9.5 minutes someone is diagnosed with HIV the the U.S.
Teach your classmates about HIV transmission. GO
Sources: WHO, AIDS Statistics, AIDS Global, Global Health Facts
