Learning Objectives:
What are the Facts about HIV/AIDS?
After studying this unit, you should be able to:
- Have improved knowledge of rates of HIV infection globally;
- Define HIV and AIDS separately and understand how the disease is transmitted and its effects on the body;
- Know the prevention methods and treatment options for HIV/AIDS such as antiretroviral therapy.
Introduction
In the early 1980s, the first recognized cases of the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) occurred among homosexual men in the United States. These men suddenly began to develop rare opportunistic infections and cancers that seemed stubbornly resistant to any treatment. At this time, AIDS did not yet have a name, but it quickly became obvious that all the men were suffering from a common syndrome. By 1983, the etiological agent, the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), had been identified. While some were initially resistant to acknowledge the connection (and indeed some remain so today), there is now clear evidence to prove that HIV causes AIDS. By the mid-1980’s, it became clear that the virus had spread, largely unnoticed, throughout most of the world, and since then, the global AIDS epidemic has become one of the greatest threats to human health and development. At the same time, much has been learnt about the science of AIDS, as well as how to prevent and treat the disease.
The purpose of Unit 1 is to provide introductory information regarding HIV and AIDS. This will include global statistics, important definitions that distinguish HIV from AIDS, the impact of HIV on the body, modes of transmission, as well as methods of prevention and treatment.
This introductory module provides basic information and facts on the current status of the disease globally using the latest available statistics. It targets individuals who are not familiar with the basic facts about HIV and AIDS or who are looking for a useful resource with updated statistics on the global situation.
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