NFID Infectious Diseases Immunization COVID-19 Antibiotic Resistance About Us Donate Search Home Infectious Diseases HIV/AIDS HIV/AIDS Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a chronic, potentially life-threatening condition caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). By damaging the immune system, HIV interferes with the body’s ability to fight the organisms that cause disease. HIV is a sexually transmitted infection and can also be spread by contact with infected blood or from mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth, or breast-feeding. Without medication, HIV gradually weakens the immune system to the point that an infected individual may develop AIDS. Burden Approximately 1.1 million people in the US are living with HIV today. About 15 percent of them (1 in 7) are unaware they are infected. An estimated 38,000 people became newly infected with HIV in the US each year. Symptoms HIV infection happens in three stages. Without treatment, it gets worse over time and eventually overpowers the immune system. Symptoms depend on the stage (Acute, Clinical Latency, AIDS). Prevention Various strategies are available to prevent HIV including correctly using condoms during sex, limiting the number of sexual partners, never sharing needles, and abstinence (not having sex). Individuals who are at risk for HIV can protect themselves through pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)—taking daily antiretroviral medicines (ART) before being exposed to the HIV virus. Individuals who think they may have been exposed to HIV should talk to a healthcare professional about post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP)—taking ART after being exposed to prevent becoming infected. If you have HIV, there are actions you can take to avoid transmitting it to others. The most important is taking HIV medicine (ART) as prescribed. If you take HIV medicine as prescribed and stay virally suppressed, you can stay healthy and have effectively no risk of transmitting HIV to an HIV-negative sex partner. Treatment There is currently no cure for HIV/AIDS, but there are medications that can slow the progression of the disease. These drugs have reduced AIDS deaths in many developed nations. Related Pneumococcal Disease Myths and Facts August 29, 2019 Similar post Hepatitis August 29, 2019 Similar post Are You at Risk for Serious Flu-Related Complications? February 25, 2020 Similar post More on HIV/AIDS Real Stories, Real People National Foundation for Infectious Diseases 7201 Wisconsin Avenue Suite 750 Bethesda, MD 20814 301.656.0003 1629 K Street, NW Suite 300 Washington, DC 20006 Privacy Policy Disclaimer This website is designed to provide education to the public and healthcare professionals about the burden, causes, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of infectious diseases across the lifespan. All information on this site is for general purposes only, is based on US recommendations, and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Federal EIN: 23-7198530 Connect with NFID Subscribe