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The fight against HIV: Facts and Figures
Findings in 2016 show that almost 80% of pregnant women living with HIV, or 1.1 million women, received antiretrovirals (ARVs).
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Significant progress has also been made in preventing and eliminating mother-to-child transmission and keeping mothers alive. Findings in 2016 show that almost 80% of pregnant women living with HIV, or 1.1 million women, received antiretrovirals (ARVs).
This fact file from the WHO provides current data on the disease, and ways to prevent and treat it.
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Fact 1: HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) infects cells of the immune system
Infection results in the progressive deterioration of the immune system, breaking down the body's ability to fend off some infections and other diseases. AIDS (Acquired immune deficiency syndrome) refers to the most advanced stages of HIV infection, defined by the occurrence of any of more than 20 opportunistic infections or related cancers.
Fact 2: HIV can be transmitted in several ways
Unprotected sexual intercourse, transfusions of contaminated blood, use of contaminated surgical equipment and other sharp instruments, mother-to-baby during pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding.
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Fact 3: There are several ways to prevent HIV transmission
Practice safe sexual behaviours, get tested and treated for sexually transmitted infections, avoid injecting drugs, or if you do, always use sterile needles and syringes; ensure that any blood or blood products that you might need are tested for HIV.
Fact 4: 36.7 million people are living with HIV worldwide
Globally, an estimated 36.7 million (34.0–39.8 million) people were living with HIV in 2015, and 1.8 million (1.5–2.0 million) of these were children. The vast majority of people living with HIV are in low- and middle-income countries. An estimated 2.1 million (1.8–2.4 million) people were newly infected with HIV in 2015. An estimated 35 million people have died from HIV-related causes so far, including 1.1 million (940, 000–1.3 million) in 2015.
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