What AIDS means

HIV is the virus which causes AIDS, a condition in which the body's immune system is destroyed allowing fatal infections to take over. Since the early 1980's the virus has spread throughout the world, killing several million people. There is no known cure for the virus, but drugs can help to delay the onset of AIDS.

But what exactly are HIV and AIDS, how does HIV spread, and why is it so widespread , even though we know how to prevent it?

HIV stands for 'Human Immunodeficiency Virus'. It is transmitted through the exchange of bodily fluids through eg sexual intercourse, blood transfusions or sharing unsterilized equipment which pierces the skin. It cannot be contracted through day to day contact, sharing eating utensils, kissing, using the same toilet etc.

A person can be HIV positive (ie be infected with the HI virus) for many years and yet remain healthy. During this time they can unknowingly infect others. Eventually, the virus breaks down the body’s immune system so that it is unable to defend itself against “opportunistic” illnesses such as tuberculosis. Once the immune system is so weak that the person contracts more than two such opportunistic infections, they are said to be suffering from the 'Acquired Immune Deficiency' Syndrome, or AIDS.

With a good diet, healthy lifestyle and the right combination of medicines, a person who is HIV positive may live a full, healthy, sexually active life for many years without contracting AIDS. They can also prevent the spread of the virus to others eg by using condoms.

What are the main causes of the spread of HIV?
In Western countriesmost HIV infections occur amongst men who have sex with men and people who share unsterilized injecting equipment – often drug users. In Africa most sexually transmitted HIV infections occur amongst heterosexual people, particularly in cultures where it is common to have more than one sexual partner concurrently and in cultures where women have less say over sexual choices – for example, where or not to use a condom. Infection may also occur through sharing piercing implements or razors during traditional African initiation rituals.

Why is HIV so widespread even though we know how to prevent it?

Even if people understand what causes HIV infection and know how to avoid it, it is not always easy for them to do so - just as knowing that smoking causes lung cancer does not always stop people smoking. For example, many women have no say in who they sleep with, how often or whether a condom is used, and many men feel under strong peer or cultural pressure to have several partners.

Poverty increases people’s vulnerability to HIV infection as they are likely to be less well nourished (and therefore more susceptible to infection generally); they may be less well educated, so less well informed about how to stay healthy; they have poorer access to basic health care, and, in extreme circumstances, women and girls may feel they have no choice but to resort to exchanging sexual favours for the means of survival such as food, shelter, and education for their children or siblings.

However, anybody of any age and in any walk of life, in any country and of any sexual persuasion may become infected with HIV!