World Vision has been combating global AIDSfor nearly two decades. The organization started its first AIDS programs among orphaned children in Uganda, HIV-infected children in Romania and young women caught in the sex trade in Thailand.

Today, World Vision has AIDS programs in more than 60 nations. World Vision is working to reduce the impact of HIV and AIDS through innovative and compassionate care, prevention efforts and effective advocacy so that gains in agricultural development, education, health care and other areas are not lost by the ravages of AIDS.

There are still many questions people have about HIV AIDS etc etc - we've summed up some of the most commonly asked ones below

HIV – Human Immuno-deficiency Virus

HIV attacks cells of the human immune system and impairs their ability to fight disease. This leads to progressive depletion of the immune system, known as immune deficiency, which is when the body is considered unable to fight disease and infection.

Many people who have HIV do not get sick for years, but the progression of the disease eventually leads to irreparable damage to the immune system. At this point HIV-positive people will develop a group of diseases known as AIDS, most of these are rare among people without immune deficiency but can be life-threatening for people with HIV.

AIDS – Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome

Viruses, bacteria, parasites, fungi and other problems severely affect people with HIV. These are called “opportunistic infections” and include fatal pneumonia, tuberculosis and Kaposi’s Sarcoma (a type of skin cancer).

The presence of these illnesses is due to the immune system being severely compromised. They are known as AIDS defining illnesses.

Infection with HIV is the underlying cause of AIDS. HIV infection progresses to AIDS when there is a certain level of HIV infection in the body and there is the presence of certain types of additional infections.

The HIV virus is transferred through human body fluids, especially blood and sexual fluids. The most common way to get HIV is through any form of unprotected sex - unprotected hetrosexual is most common. Other ways to get it are through blood transfusion, the sharing of contaminated needles and from mother to infant during pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding.

The most effective way to prevent infection is to practise ABC:

• A – Abstinence
• B – Be faithful and
• C – Condom use

Additionally, ensuring syringes and surgical equipment are properly sterilised, blood products are tested and blood safety procedures are implemented can all reduce infection through these means.

No sexual act is considered 100% safe so anyone engaging in sex must be aware of the risks and therefore better able to protect themselves [The UNAIDS website has more information on protection].

No. There is no known cure for HIV and AIDS. Progression of the disease can be slowed but at this stage there is no way to halt the progression completely.

Treatment consists of counselling, support for the prevention of transmission, good nutrition, prevention and treatment of opportunistic infections and Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and antiretroviral (ARVs) drugs. ARVs slow down the reproduction of HIV in the body. HIV spreads by replicating within cells, so the more it spreads the greater its impact. ARVs reduce the impact by slowing the replication and enable HIV-positive people to live longer and healthier lives.

Only about 5% of all those needing anti-retrovirals receive them in developing countries. The drugs are expensive and the health infrastructure and lack of funding have prevented ARV treatment from being widely accessible in low and middle-income countries.

The inclusion of some ARVs on the WHO’s Essential Medicines List will assist some countries to expand distribution, as well as obtain and better allocate money to finance the treatment of HIV-positive individuals.

Adequate nutrition is also an essential element of treatment, and can be a problem in developing countries.

HIV and AIDS need to be tackled on many levels and the political and economic will is essential if treatment is to be available to all those who in need.

In 90% of cases, HIV is the result of sexual transmission. Men who have sex with men (MSM) account for around 5-10% of all HIV cases worldwide. The two groups most vulnerable to infection are women and young people (15-24 years old).

Women are very vulnerable to infection and now account for almost half of all new infections. They also have the lion’s share of economic and social consequences. This is especially the case in areas where men hold the power in sexual relations and travel for work, opening them to increased chances of infection and subsequent risk to their wives.

Injecting drug use is a universal issue. The sharing of the injecting equipment is one of the most efficient ways of spreading blood-borne diseases. According to UNAIDS in many countries the AIDS epidemic started among injecting drug users and then spread into other population groups, especially in Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

The widespread disapproval of drug users blocks them from accessing healthcare and prevention education. They are frequently bypassed by prevention and treatment services, which is a transgression of their human rights.

Rates and transmission statistics vary regionally. For more information and FAQs go to the UNAIDS website.