Guam - U.S.A.

AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. AIDS is a collection of illnesses caused by a virus called human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV. HIV is found in the blood, semen and vaginal secretions of an infected person.

How is AIDS spread?
How many people have HIV?
How is HIV/AIDS diagnosed?
What is the prognosis for people with HIV/AIDS?

In the News...
Internet Resources

The HIV virus is mainly spread by unprotected sex and sharing needles with an HIV-infected person. Babies born to HIV-infected women may become infected. You do not become infected by casual contact or insects.

548,102 AIDS cases in the United States have been reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC lists 343,000 AIDS deaths. Worldwide, the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS estimates 21.8 million people are living with HIV/AIDS. Of that number, the majority (21 million) are adults, and women are approximately 42 percent.

During 1995, HIV-associated illnesses caused the deaths of 1.3 million people, including 300,000 children under age 5. Since the beginning of the global AIDS epidemic, over 9 million children under age 15 have lost their mothers to HIV/AIDS.

A test for the HIV antibody shows who is infected with the virus.

There is no cure for AIDS, however the FDA has approved the use of certain prescription drugs such as AZT in the treatment of AIDS-related illnesses.

Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

U.N. agency says youngsters under increasing threat from AIDS (10/5)
HIV test can give false-positive results (9/22)
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approves new HIV drug. Read the FDA Report  (9/18)

HIV-AIDS CDC Surveillance Report AIDS/HIV Internet Resources AIDS Outreach Center (AOC) serves men, women and children with HIV or AIDS and their families, educating the public about the HIV epidemic, and advocating for sound HIV public policy. The AIDS/HIV Gopher at NIH AIDS Data Animation Project AIDS Resource List The AIDS virtual library page Social, political, and medical aspects of AIDS, HIV, and related issues.  The Body: A Multimedia AIDS and HIV Information Resource Includes insight from AIDS experts, online forums, how to get help and much other information on the disease and its treatment. AIDS Treatment Data Network Treatment review, simple facts sheets and glossary of drugs from the New York Academy of Medicine. Gay Men's Health Crisis Offers hands-on support services to men, women and children with AIDS and their families. WWW Virtual Library: AIDS Features information on clinical trials, conferences, medical study information and statistical reports on the epidemic. CDC National AIDS Awareness Clearinghouse News, prevention, published materials research findings and more from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. NAMES Project The AIDS Memorial Quilt Web site. AIDS Research Information Center, Inc. Provides current information on HIV treatment. "Patient Empowerment Through Information." Center for AIDS Prevention Studies Programs, prevention science and fact sheets plus special features. The Safer Sex Page Site dedicated to AIDS prevention aimed at teenagers.