HIV/AIDS: A PolitiFact sheet

Symptoms. Initial infection results in a flu-like illness with symptoms such as fever, a rash, headache, and sore throat. This stage generally lasts a few weeks. People then enter a second stage that can last several years where they often show no signs of illness. If left untreated, infected individuals will develop AIDS. This last stage is characterized by a high risk of developing fungal, bacterial, and viral infections such as tuberculosis as well as cancers such as Kaposi’s sarcoma.

How it Spreads. HIV primarily spreads through bodily fluids. The majority of transmission cases occur during unprotected sex. The virus also resides in the blood and spreads through contact with infected blood such as sharing infected needles or during blood transfusions. HIV can also spread from mother to child during pregnancy, delivery, or breastfeeding.

Where in the World? HIV/AIDS is a global disease that exists in every major region of the world. However, the majority of new infections and deaths occur in middle and low-income countries, particularly in sub-saharan Africa. In 2014 25.8 million people in that region were living with HIV, and it accounts for almost 70% of all new HIV infections.

Source: Kff.org

Treatment and Prevention. There is no cure for HIV. However, most cases can be treated through antiretroviral therapy (ART), which consists of taking a regimen of several drugs that control replication of the virus and prevent the onset of AIDS. The therapy must be started as soon as possible after diagnosis to maximize the chance of success.

Prevention efforts mostly focus on limiting exposure to risk factors through safe sex practices and eliminating needle-sharing among drug users. Testing and counselling allows people to learn about their infection status and avoid spreading the disease to others. In the past decade drugs have also become viable tools for prevention. ART can be taken by an HIV-negative sexual partner to prevent infection. ART can also be administered to someone exposed to HIV in the past 72 hours to completely prevent infection.    

In the U.S. There are an estimated 1.2 million people living with HIV in the U.S. The number of infected people has steadily risen since 2006, but the rate of new infections has stabilized at around 50,000 per year. AIDS was responsible for around 13,712 deaths in 2012.

Source: cdc.gov 

Travelling? Because HIV isn’t transmitted through everyday contact, the risk of acquiring it while travelling in high-risk regions is low. Travelers should follow proper prevention procedures such as practicing safe sex with a new partner, avoiding sharing of needles and syringes, and avoiding injections and transfusions except in an emergency. People who think they have been exposed should return to their country and seek medical treatment and preventative measures.

Elimination. AIDS was first declared as a health emergency in 1981. Health agencies first focused on minimizing risky behavior through educational efforts. Since the mid 2000’s focus has shifted to promoting universal access to HIV testing and treatment with drugs in vulnerable regions and populations. According to the WHO, new HIV infections fell 35% between 2000 and 2015, and AIDS-related deaths fell by 24% in the same period.

U.S. Government Funding. Funding for domestic and international HIV/AIDS care, prevention, and research has increased from $28.3 billion in FY 2011 to $33 billion in FY 2016. President Obama’s request for funding in FY 2017 is $34 billion, a 3% increase over the previous year.