HIV and AIDS

AIDS - acquired Immunodeficiency syndrome - is caused by a virus called HIV, the human immunodeficiency virus. AIDS was first seen in the United States in 1981 and is now a major problem all over the world. We have all heard much about AIDS in the news over the years, and the number of deaths it has caused worldwide, particularly in areas hardest hit by the disease like Africa. Many myths have been spread about AIDS and it is important for every person to know the facts about HIV and AIDS.

HIV attacks, kills, and damages the cells in the body's immune system. Our immune system protects our bodies from disease and infection. Over time, HIV weakens a person's immune system, making it hard to fight off infections and certain cancers. People who have AIDS can get very sick with infections that most healthy people can fight off. These are called opportunistic infections (OIs), and can be life threatening. There is no cure for AIDS and while treatments may help some people manage their disease, AIDS is still fatal.

Almost one million Americans are living with HIV infection, one-third of who do not even know that they have HIV. HIV has hit African American and Hispanic women the hardest. While they make up less than 25 percent of the people in the U.S., they account for more than 77 percent of AIDS cases in women.