What is HIV/AIDS?

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that damages human immune cells. It weakens the immune system and, without treatment, leads most infected people to develop AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome).¹

The virus is transmitted through blood and other bodily fluids, like semen and vaginal fluids.

HIV/AIDS is preventable² and treatable.³

Who does HIV/AIDS affect?

HIV/AIDS can affect anyone — parents, children, siblings, friends, colleagues and the community. It’s important that everyone works together to prevent the transmission of the disease and improve the day-to-day lives of those living with HIV/AIDS and the people they love.

According to The AIDS Trust of Australia, 20 people become infected with HIV every week in Australia. There are an estimated 16,500 people living with HIV in Australia.⁴

In New Zealand, nearly 2,000 people live with the HIV virus and the number continues to grow.²

According to a joint study from UNAIDS and the World Health Organization (2007), 33 million people worldwide are living with HIV/AIDS.⁵

In May 2009, The World Health Organization published progress on its health-related Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). It is noted that there were an estimated 2.7 million new cases of HIV/AIDS globally in 2007. While deaths are increasing in parts of Africa, the use of antiretroviral therapy has also increased.⁶

What are the most common symptoms of HIV/AIDS?

HIV/AIDS cannot be diagnosed without an HIV test. Someone with HIV/AIDS can look and/or feel completely healthy, though some people experience flu-like symptoms, rashes or swollen glands. These symptoms do not alone indicate whether an individual has contracted HIV.⁷

It is most important to consider the risk factors of the disease. If you think you are at risk or have questions about your personal health and wellness, please talk to a qualified healthcare professional.

The most common ways that people become infected with HIV are:

• Having sexual intercourse with an infected partner
• Injecting drugs using a needle or syringe that has been used by someone who is infected
• As a baby of an infected mother, during pregnancy, labour or delivery, or through breastfeeding¹

How is the disease managed?

Currently, there is no vaccine or cure for HIV/AIDS. However, there are medicines available that work against HIV. For the majority of people, these medicines can postpone, and possibly prevent, HIV-related illnesses and delay developing into AIDS.⁸

Following treatment prescribed by a qualified healthcare professional, lifestyle changes and a support network can help someone living with HIV.

Drugs to treat HIV are called antiretrovirals or antivirals. These drugs are often used as combination therapy which attacks the virus in different ways to help manage the symptoms and keep the amount of HIV in the body at a low level. Combination therapy means that more than one drug is used at once. To deter the body from naturally developing resistance, two or more drugs are typically prescribed at one time.^9,10

If you need more information on HIV therapy talk to your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

To learn more about HIV/AIDS, talk to a healthcare professional.

Additionally, there are many educational resources available — locally, nationally and internationally. You might consider visiting the Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations Web site for more information. This site also includes links to Australian and State/Territory resources.

For more information in New Zealand, please visit the Ministry of Health Web site.

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1 AVERT.org. http://www.avert.org/howcan.htm. Accessed on 20 October 2009.

2 New Zealand Ministry of Health Web Page, HIV And AIDS Information. http://www.moh.govt.nz/moh.nsf/pagesmh/2797: Accessed on 20 October 2009.

3 National Association of People living with HIV/AIDS, Living with HIV, Newly Diagnosed. http://napwa.org.au/living-with-hiv/newly-diagnosed: Accessed 20 October 2009.

4 AIDS Trust of Australia. About Us. http://www.aidstrust.com.au/aboutus.html. Accessed 20 October 2009.

5 2008 Report on the Global AIDS epidemic. Status of the Global HIV epidemic. Chapter 2, Figure 2.2. http://www.unaids.org/en/KnowledgeCentre/HIVData/GlobalReport/2008/2008_Global_report.asp. Accessed 20 October 2009.

6 World Health Organisation. Progress on health related Millennium Development Goals (MGDs). http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs290/en/index.html. Accessed 16 September 2009.

7 AVERT.org. HIV Symptoms. http://www.avert.org/hiv-symptoms.htm. Accessed 16 September 2009.

8 Victorian Government Health Information. “HIV AIDS: Your questions answered.” http://www.health.vic.gov.au/ideas/diseases/sti_hiv_questions. Accessed 20 October 2009.

9 National Association of People living with HIV/AIDS. http://napwa.org.au/resource/hiv-tests-and-treatments/antiviral-treatments. Section: Antiviral treatments. Accessed 20 October 2009.

10 AVERT.org. Introduction to HIV and AIDS drug treatment. http://www.avert.org/treatment.htm. Accessed 20 October 2009.