39.5 million People are living with HIV or AIDS right now, with 24.7 million just in sub-Saharan Africa. 3 million people per year die from AIDS; That's 8000 per day. HIV and AIDS are obviously a problem, disproportionately more so in Africa. AIDS is a problem because it makes people die.
AIDS is a disease characterized by damage to the immune system caused by HIV. It is transmitted through contact with mucous membranes with bodily fluid containing HIV such as blood, semen, vaginal fluid, Cowper's fluid, and breast milk. It is often spread through oral, anal, and vaginal sex. Symptoms of AIDS are mostly a result of infections not usually found in those with healthy immune systems. Most researchers think that it originated in Africa. HIV transmission through blood transfusion used to be a problem, but is much less so now because of routine HIV testing of donors. Most prevention programs focus on safe-sex and sexual-abstinence education. Reducing one's chances of getting HIV include regular condom use, but also choosing less-risky activities such as having oral instead of anal sex or only having sex with those who test negative for HIV.
Sub-Saharan Africa is where HIV is most prevalent, 5.9% of the population are infected. The next-highest prevalence is the Caribbean (12n30, 68w58), where 1.2% of people are infected. The most-infected country in Africa is Swaziland (26s19, 31e8), with 33.4% of people infected. Following Swaziland is Botswana, Northwest of Swaziland, has 24.1% of people infected. HIV prevalence rates in most other places are around 1%.
Most attempts to quell the spread of HIV focus on condom use for those who have sex. UNICEF focuses on preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV by using antiretroviral therapy during pregnancy. Giving away of condoms and condom-use advertisements are common in countries where HIV and AIDS are a huge problem. Also counseling should be made available, to encourage HIV testing and keep those who are infected with HIV from spreading it to others. Counseling can also help improve the negative stigma of condom use and HIV testing. These stigmas must be overcome or a cheap cure for AIDS must be found before its spread is stopped.
HIV and AIDS are obviously problems that must be stopped, especially in high-prevalence areas. This can be done with HIV/AIDS and safe-sex education, making condoms available, providing antiretroviral drugs, and providing counseling. Research into cures and treatments for AIDS should also be conducted. Something needs to be done to stop HIV and AIDS.