
World AIDS Day will be observed Wednesday, Dec. 1, which makes this a good time to learn more about preventing this chronic, potentially life-threatening condition.
More than 32 million people have died worldwide from AIDS and 38 million people are living with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
If left untreated, HIV infection typically develops into AIDS in eight to 10 years. By damaging your immune system, HIV interferes with your body's ability to fight infection and disease.
When AIDS occurs, your immune system has been severely damaged. You'll be more likely to develop opportunistic infections or opportunistic cancers — diseases that wouldn't usually cause illness in a person with a healthy immune system.
HIV can spread through sexual contact or blood, or from mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth or breast-feeding. To become infected with HIV, infected blood, semen or vaginal secretions must enter your body.
HIV is not spread through air, water or insect bites. You can't become infected with HIV through ordinary contact, such as hugging, kissing, dancing or shaking hands with someone who is infected.
Anyone of any age, race, sex or sexual orientation can be infected with HIV/AIDS. However, you're at greatest risk of HIV/AIDS if you:
There's no vaccine to prevent HIV infection and no cure for AIDS. But you can protect yourself and others from infection.
To help prevent the spread of HIV:
People with HIV and AIDS are living longer and better, thanks to improved treatments. Early diagnosis allows for early treatment options that may delay the progression to AIDS, and knowing your status is an important first step.
Read more: Forty years of HIV/AIDS: Will the epidemic end?
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