How common is HIV?
Over the last 20 years about 40 million people worldwide are thought to have become infected with HIV, and about 12 million have died. Each year the number of cases increases. According to the World Health Organization, in 2003 about five million people were newly infected with HIV and about three million people died from AIDS. Most cases are in developing countries. In some parts of Africa, more than half of adult deaths are caused by HIV infection.
In the UK over 60,000 cases of HIV infection have been diagnosed since 1982. However, the number of AIDS-related deaths in the UK has greatly fallen since 1995 due to improved treatment.
What does HIV do in the body to cause problems?
Once HIV is in your body the virus attaches to and gets into the CD4 T-cells. The virus then uses the DNA (the genetic code inside the cell) to replicate (make copies of itself). As new virus particles break out of a CD4 T-cell, the cell dies. The new virus particles then attach and enter new CD4 T-cells, and so the process continues. Millions of new virus particles are made in CD4 T-cells each day, and millions of CD4 T-cells die each day.
To counter the virus destruction the body continues to make millions of new CD4 T-cells each day. However, over time, the virus usually 'wins' and the the number of CD4 T-cells gradually falls (usually over several years). Once the level of CD4 T-cells goes below a certain level, your immune system is weakened.
If your immune system is severely weakened you are likely to develop various 'opportunistic' infections. These are infections caused by germs which are commonly around us. You would not normally develop infections from these germs if you have a healthy immune system. However, if your immune system is not working properly these germs have an 'opportunity' to cause infection. A low level of CD4 T-cells also increases the risk of developing other conditions which the immune system helps to prevent such as certain cancers.
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Where to next?
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What is the treatment for HIV infection?
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How common is HIV?
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Advice about sexual partners
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Advice from a sexual health adviser
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Anogenital warts (genital warts)
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Chlamydia in women
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Conditions that are not STIs
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Genital herpes
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Other conditions that are sometimes thought of as STIs
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Other conditions that are sometimes thought of as STIs (cont'd)
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Pubic lice
darran martin, over 2 years
i found this imformation very interesting as i am a gay man and i am so pleased i have read this web page as i now need to be very catous in my sexual activaty thank you
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