HIV may seem like an old problem by now, but it’s still very much relevant.

Worldwide, 33.4 million people are living with HIV, including 2.1 children younger than 15. Even high-income countries like the US haven’t made much progress on reducing new cases of HIV.

For North American and Western and Central Europe, the number of new HIV infections for 2008 was 75,000, compared with 93,000 new cases in 2001. In Sub-Saharan Africa, the number of new HIV infections for 2008 was 1.9 million, compared with 2.3 million in 2001. Sub-Saharan Africa continues to be the region most affected by HIV with 22.4 million people currently living with HIV.


HIV is a virus, but AIDS occurs when someone living with HIV can no longer fight off diseases that a typical immune system can handle.

How HIV is spread:

* A baby may be born with HIV if the mother carries it. If you plan on becoming pregnant, it’s important to know whether you have HIV.
* Drug users may get HIV from shared drug equipment like needles or syringes.
* People who have unprotected sex with an infected partner will get HIV. Use a condom. HIV may also be spread through oral sex.
* HIV may be passed on through breast milk, semen, vaginal fluids and blood.

While there’s no cure for HIV, early treatment may help keep the virus under control. Visit WorldAIDSDay.org or AIDS.gov for ideas on how you can Do Something to help.