AIDS and HIV information

What is AIDS and HIV

HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is the virus that causes AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome). AIDS is a collection of specific illnesses and conditions which occur because the body’s immune system has been damaged by HIV. Someone who is diagnosed as infected with HIV is said to be 'HIV+' or 'HIV positive'.

For more information we recomend visiting NAM.

NAM is an award-winning community based HIV information provider. The team at NAM is based in London, in the UK, but the information is known and used across the world. They are a non-profit, non-governmental organisation, and in the UK they are registered as a charity (number 1011220).

NAM Delivers reliable and accurate HIV information. Their home address is http://www.aidsmap.com/en/default.asp

The increasing number of people infected with HIV through heterosexual sex means that the number of women with HIV/AIDS is increasing. The male to female ratio of HIV diagnoses made before 1989 was more than 10 to 1, whereas in 2007 the ratio for new diagnoses was around 5 male to 3 female*

*HPA Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre (HIV and STI Department) and the Scottish Centre for Infection and Environmental Health: Unpublished Surveillance Tables No. 78, 08/1, August 2008

NEW Diagnoses in Wales
New HIV diagnoses in Wales:
2004: 105
2005: 119
2006: 119
2007: 192
Data to the end of June 2008, 62**

There is no cure for HIV/AIDS at this time.

In 2007, 47% of people diagnosed in the UK were infected through heterosexual sex, making this the single biggest exposure category.

Prevention through education is the only weapon we have.

**HPA Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre (HIV and STI Department) and the Scottish Centre for Infection and Environmental Health: Unpublished Surveillance Tables No. 78, 08/1, August 2008

HIV Cymru Wales

An online self-help group run by people with HIV