HIV and AIDS

Research shows that most people who are on these treatments live longer and feel better. However, the drugs can have unpleasant side effects and many different drugs have to be taken every day, and some people cannot cope with this. The long-term effects of being on combination therapy are not yet known.

There is no vaccine against HIV.

How big is the problem?

HIV infection is spread throughout the world. But there are some parts of the world such as sub-Saharan Africa, Southern Asia and Eastern Europe where known levels of infection are higher than in others. The risk is higher in countries with more people infected with HIV, but the risk of infection is everywhere. Worldwide, the commonest way of becoming infected with HIV is by sex between men and women.

In the UK, about 2500 people test positive for HIV every year and the number of people living with HIV continues to rise. Most new infections are amongst gay and bisexual men. The rate of HIV infection amongst heterosexual men and women is rising. Most of these are among people from Sub-Saharan Africa.

How is HIV passed on?

In the UK there are three main ways in which HIV can be passed on by:

• having vaginal or anal sex without a condom with someone who has HIV

• a mother with HIV to her baby during pregnancy

• at birth or through breastfeeding; and

• sharing needles, syringes or other drug-injecting equipment that is infected with HIV