Health agencies are warning that up to 3.3 million new HIV infections could occur over the next five years, as global funding and response efforts slow down.
AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) is the most advanced stage of HIV infection. While modern treatments mean that many people with HIV never develop AIDS, understanding the early symptoms and stages of the disease is still crucial for prevention, testing, and treatment.
HIV was first identified in the early 1980s, and the virus that causes AIDS — the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) — was pinpointed in 1983. Since then, antiretroviral therapy (ART) has completely changed the outlook for people living with HIV. With the right treatment, the virus can become undetectable and untransmittable, allowing people to live long, healthy lives.
At the same time, tools like PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) can dramatically reduce the risk of acquiring HIV in the first place. But experts now warn that setbacks in funding and prevention efforts could reverse hard-won progress.
Below is a clear breakdown of what AIDS is, how HIV is transmitted, and the typical symptoms across the four stages of HIV infection.
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