Who is aids affecting

Of these, Some people may have HIV but not know it. Of these new HIV infections:. That means People with HIV who are aware of their status, take ART daily as prescribed, and get and keep an undetectable viral load can live long, healthy lives and have effectively no risk of sexually transmitting HIV to their HIV-negative partners. HIV Care Continuum —The term HIV care continuum refers to the sequence of steps a person with HIV takes from diagnosis through receiving treatment until his or her viral load is suppressed to undetectable levels.

Each step in the continuum is marked by an assessment of the number of people who have reached that stage. The stages are: being diagnosed with HIV; being linked to medical care; starting ART; adhering to the treatment regimen; and, finally, having HIV suppressed to undetectable levels in the blood. In , around , people died from AIDS-related illnesses worldwide, compared to 1.

In , there were Despite advances in our scientific understanding of HIV and its prevention and treatment as well as years of significant effort by the global health community and leading government and civil society organizations, too many people with HIV or at risk for HIV still do not have access to prevention, care, and treatment, and there is still no cure.

Further, the HIV epidemic not only affects the health of individuals, it also impacts households, communities, and the development and economic growth of nations. Many of the countries hardest hit by HIV also suffer from other infectious diseases, food insecurity, and other serious problems.

Despite these challenges, there have been successes and promising signs. Anyone can contract HIV, and while IDUs are at great risk because of practices related to their drug use, anyone who engages in unsafe sex e. However, while all groups are affected by HIV, some are more vulnerable than others, as summarized below. Gay or bisexual MSM are the most severely affected population. MSM account for just a small fraction 2 percent of the total U.

Injection drug use has long been associated directly or indirectly with approximately one-third of AIDS cases in the United States. The fact that IDUs made up only 8 percent of new HIV infections in versus 23 percent in — demonstrates the progress made in HIV prevention and treatment within this population. In the United States, an estimated 3. Injection drug use, HIV, and HCV create a complicated tapestry of ailments that present a variety of challenges to healthcare providers.

The newer HCV medications boceprevir and telaprevir — approved by the U. The added burden of drug addiction further complicates treatment regimens. Regional variations of HIV incidence in women have changed over time. In the early years of the epidemic, incidence in women predominated in the Northeast, but infection rates and mortality have been steadily increasing in the southern United States.

A recent study conducted by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health reported 40 percent of White women contracted HIV through injection drug use.

HIV surveillance data show that the rates of new HIV infection are disproportionately highest within ethnic minority populations. African- Americans account for a higher proportion of HIV infections than any other population at all stages of the disease from initial infection to death see text box. Visit our U.

Statistics page for more information on how HIV affects different populations. Testing is the only way to know for sure if you have HIV. Find out whether testing is recommended for you. Many HIV tests are now quick, free, and painless.

You can also buy an FDA-approved home testing kit at a pharmacy or online. Knowing your HIV status gives you powerful information to help you take steps to keep you and your partner s healthy:. More links are provided under Additional Resources. Content Source: HIV. Many Federal agencies have developed public awareness and education campaigns to address HIV prevention, treatment, care, and research.

Also included is information about campaigns related to the prevention and diagnosis of hepatitis B and C. El VIH es una amenaza de salud grave para las comunidades latinas, quienes se encuentran en gran desventaja respecto de la incidencia de esta enfermedad en los Estados Unidos. Want to stay abreast of changes in prevention, care, treatment or research or other public health arenas that affect our collective response to the HIV epidemic?