1. HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a virus that attacks cells of immune system and weakens its ability to defend against infections and diseases, and causes AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome).
2. HIV is transmitted in several ways including:
• Having unprotected, casual sexual intercourse
• Receiving infected blood during blood transfusion
• Sharing infected needles or other sharp objects
• From a mother to her baby during pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding.
3. HIV is the foremost infectious disease killer in the world.
4. India has the third largest population of HIV-infected individuals in the world, after South Africa and Nigeria.
5. About 33.4 million people are living with HIV worldwide (according to 2008 statistics), and an estimated 2.08 million people were living with HIV in India in 2011.
6. The first case of HIV in India was detected in Chennai in 1986.
7. About 0.116 million people were newly infected with HIV in India in 2011.
8. An estimated 1.7 million people died of HIV/AIDS in 2011.
9. Combination antiretroviral therapy (ART) prevents the HIV virus from multiplying in the body, and improves immunity.
10. Mother-to-child transmission of HIV is almost entirely preventable by ART.
11. Gay and bisexual men of all races around the world are the most radically affected by HIV.
12. The states of Andhra Pradesh, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Karnataka, Tamilnadu and Maharashtra have the highest prevalence of HIV in India.
13. There are several ways to prevent HIV transmission such as:
• Practicing safe sex using condoms.
• Getting tested and treated for sexually transmitted infections
• Avoiding sharing needles and syringes
• Ensuring that all blood or blood products used in transfusion are tested for HIV.
