Worldwide, an estimated 40 million people are infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Ninety-five percent of these people live in the developing nations. Approximately 14,000 new HIV infections occur each day.

The U.S. HIV/AIDS Epidemic

This text focuses on the HIV infection and AIDS (HIV/AIDS) epidemic in the United States, where approximately 385,000 people are currently living with AIDS. In addition, hundreds of thousands of Americans are living with HIV infection, although many are not aware that they are infected.

Since the epidemic began in 1981, more than 501,000 persons have died of AIDS in the United States. However, AIDS deaths started to decline in 1996. To a great extent, these decreases are the result of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). The various HAART regimens use multiple potent drug combinations that suppress HIV replicaton (the ability of the virus to copy itself) in the body. This therapy permits some improvement in patients’ deteriorating immune systems.

The Risk of Complacency

Despite the success of HAART, people must not become complacent; the HIV epidemic in the United States is far from over. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report continuing high-risk behaviors (especially unprotected sex), even among people found to be infected.

Some persons mistakenly assume that HIV-infected patients receiving antiretroviral therapy are not infectious; others let preventive measures slide, in the erroneous belief that totally effective treatment for HIV infection now exists. HAART therapy cannot "cure" HIV infection or AIDS.

What You Can Do

All health care workers can help to educate patients about preventing HIV infection. Some can also assess patients’ risk of infection, encourage patients to be tested for HIV infection, and provide care for patients who test HIV-positive. Proper treatment can prolong life for HIV-infected individuals.