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HIV/AIDS

By the end of 2005 there were approximately 40.3 million people living with HIV/AIDS including 17.5 million women and 2.3 million children under the age of 15. Nearly 5 million people were newly infected with HIV/AIDS. In the same year, 3.1 million people died of HIV/AIDS-related causes.

HIV/AIDS is caused by infection with Human Immunodeficiency Virus, HIV 1 or HIV 2. HIV 1 is the most frequently foundstrain worldwide. Infection with HIV 2 is found primarily in West Africa, although infections have been identified in other areas of the world.

HIV is spread by sexual contact with an infected person, by sharing needles and/or syringes (primarily for drug injection) with someone who is infected, or, less commonly (and now very rarely in countries where blood is screened for HIV antibodies), through transfusions of infected blood or blood clotting factors. Babies born to HIV infected women may become infected before or during birth or through breast-feeding after birth. Patients with HIV/AIDS and HIV/AIDS related diseases usually have a high level of the antibody to the viruses.

The standard screening test for antibodies to HIV is the enzyme immunoassay (EIA) or ELISA which is widely used in the United States and around the world. This test requires two visits to a clinic or medical facility; one to receive pretest counseling and to have blood drawn for HIV testing, and the second to receive test results and additional counseling and if needed referrals. Rapid, point-of-care (POC) tests have been developed which produce results within 20 minutes or less and allows testing, counseling and referrals to be accomplished in one visit. Rapid tests are less costly for testing agencies to perform due to the fewer outreach visits required to deliver results. Patients receive counseling, test results and referrals (if warranted) in one visit. Also, studies have shown that rapid tests are as sensitive and specific as conventional immunoassays.

Further Resources:

Clinton Foundation HIV/AIDS Initiative (www.clintonfoundation.org)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (www.cdc.gov/hiv)
Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS (www.businessfightsaids.org)
Global Health Council (www.globalhealth.org)
International Aids Society (www.iasociety.org)
Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (www.unaids.org)
The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation (www.globalhealthfacts.org)
USAID HIV/AIDS (www.usaid.gov)
World Health Organization (www.who.it)

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