About our HIV news
Latest news on HIV, or Human Immunodeficiency Virus, a virus that attacks and weakens the immune system, making it difficult for the body to fight off infections and diseases. It is primarily spread through sexual contact, sharing needles, and from mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding.
When left untreated, HIV can progress to AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome), which is the most advanced stage of HIV infection. AIDS is characterised by a severely weakened immune system, making the person more susceptible to various infections and cancers.
There is currently no cure for HIV, but it can be effectively managed with antiretroviral therapy (ART), which is a combination of medications that work to suppress the virus and prevent progression to AIDS. If taken correctly and consistently, ART can reduce the amount of virus in the body to undetectable levels, allowing people living with HIV to lead healthy and normal lives.
Preventing HIV can be done through using of barrier protection such as condoms and clean needles, getting tested and treated for other sexually transmitted infections, and taking pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) medication.
HIV disproportionately affects marginalised communities, such as people of color, men who have sex with men, people who inject drugs, and people living in poverty. It remains a global health concern, with around 38 million people living with HIV worldwide as of 2020, and an estimated 690,000 deaths due to AIDS-related illnesses.