HIV/AIDS

People in every country of the world are affected by AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome). HIV/AIDS is becoming more of a global crisis every day. At present, 40 million adults and children are living with HIV/AIDS, and at least 10.4 million children currently under the age of 15 have lost their mother or both parents to AIDS.

The disease increasingly affects young people. Of the 5 million new infections in 2001, approximately half are among young people between the ages of 15 and 24. Young women are especially vulnerable. An estimated 11.8 million young people are living with HIV/AIDS – 7.3 million young women and 4.5 million young men.

AIDS is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). HIV damages the body's defences against other diseases. Medication can help people with HIV/AIDS live longer, but the disease so far has no vaccine or cure.

Prevention is the most effective strategy against the spread of HIV/AIDS. Every person in every country should know how to avoid getting and spreading the disease.

Condoms can save lives by preventing the sexual transmission of HIV. Access to testing and counselling must be given high priority in every country. Everyone has the right to voluntary and confidential counselling and testing for HIV/AIDS and the right to be protected from discrimination of any kind related to her or his HIV/AIDS status.

For those living with or affected by HIV/AIDS, care and compassion are needed. Measures should be taken to remove the social, cultural and political barriers that might block access to HIV/AIDS services and programmes.