It’s World AIDS Day today, so we shall discuss some facts and figures that we need to know about the deadly but preventable and treatable disease.

What is HIV/AIDS all about?

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a retrovirus that can lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), a condition in humans in which the immune system begins to fail, leading to life-threatening opportunistic infections.

HIV harms the body’s immune system by attacking certain kinds of cells which are a part of the body’s natural line of defense against illness. As time goes by, HIV destroys so many of these cells that the body is no longer able to defend itself against certain cancers, viruses, bacteria, or parasites. If left untreated, HIV can lead to AIDS and death.

Did you know that…

• more than 25 million people have died of AIDS since 1981?
  
• Africa has 12 million AIDS orphans?
• at the end of 2006, women accounted for 50% of all adults living with HIV worldwide, and for 61% in sub-Saharan Africa?
• young people (under 25 years old) account for half of all new HIV infections worldwide?
• in developing and transitional countries, 7.1 million people are in immediate need of life-saving AIDS drugs; of these, only 2.015 million (28%) are receiving the drugs?

How is AIDS transmitted?

HIV isn’t transmitted by casual contact. You cannot get it from sharing water fountains, toilet seats, pencils or pens. And it’s not spread through coughing or sneezing, tears, sweat, urine or saliva.

1. Sexual transmission

   Homosexuals and heterosexuals alike are at risk. Infected people can pass HIV to anyone with whom they have intimate contact. Men can infect female or male partners, as can women. If you’re promiscuous, you increase your chances of encountering someone who’s infected. To protect yourself, use condoms unless you’re absolutely certain your partner isn’t HIV-positive.

2. Drug and needle use

   Injecting drugs with someone who is HIV-positive puts you at risk. Dried blood can stay on a needle or inside a syringe, then be transferred to the next user. Because you can’t tell by looking whether a person has HIV, sharing needles is always dangerous.

   You’re also at risk if you have any part of your body pierced or get a tattoo. If you have either of these procedures, make sure the person providing the service uses only new or sterile needles.

3. Blood transfusions

   Today, blood that is used in transfusions in the United States is rigorously tested for HIV and several other contagious viruses, so there is only a slight chance of getting HIV from a transfusion. However, that wasn’t the case a decade ago.

How to reduce the risk of HIV or other STD transmission?

The following steps can help you prevent the spread of HIV and AIDS.

• Get educated. Find out all you can about HIV and AIDS so that you can protect yourself. Share your knowledge with family members and friends.
• Choose not to have sex, or making an agreement with a partner who is not HIV-positive to be sexually faithful to each other, and sticking to it.
• Do not inject drugs of any kind. Do not share needles or syringes. Seek medical help if you have a drug problem.
• Have an HIV test if you’ve participated in unsafe sex or drug use. Encourage any friends who believe they may be infected to do the same.
• Postpone pregnancy if it’s possible you’ve been infected. Unborn children can contract the disease from their mothers, although there are medications that can prevent this. Your doctor can offer advice, as can family-planning services.

Interesting myths and facts you need to know about HIV/AIDS:

• The real truth about HIV @ pelf-ism is contagious
• How you really catch HIV? @ pelf-ism is contagious

Elsewhere:

• World AIDS Day — Take Action Now by Tiara @ EducateDeviate.
• World AIDS Day 2007 by Skeet @ Skeet’s Stuff

References: