AIDS in Africa

What is HIV/AIDS?

HIV which is the abbreviation for Human Immunodeficiency Virus is a virus that attacks the immune system. HIV breaks down the immune system, making the person more able to get sick. Without treatment, most people infected with HIV become less able to fight off normal germs that we encounter every day. Someone who has HIV is called "HIV positive" or "HIV+".
AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) is a late stage of HIV infection. An HIV positive person is diagnosed with AIDS when their immune system is so weakened that it is no longer able to fight off illness. Ultimately, people do not die from AIDS itself, they die from a certain infection that the immune system can no longer fight off. It is believed that all people who become HIV+ will eventually have AIDS.
There is no known cure or vaccine for AIDS. It can take several years before HIV breaks down a person's immune system and causes AIDS, and people may show few symptoms for several years after they are infected. People who appear perfectly healthy may not know they have the virus and can pass it on to others. 1 out of 4 Americans with HIV do not know they have the virus. The only way to know if you have HIV is to get tested.

Life Expectancy & Deaths

The Life Expectancy in Africa has gone farther and farther down over the years. In Some countries life expectancy is as young as the early 30's! Though if AIDS wasnt a problem in africa the life expectancy in africa would be much older. (60's or 70's) Out Of the 18.8 million worldwide who have died from AIDS, 11.5 million were just from sub-saharan africa. Out of the 34.3 million now living with AIDS, 24.5 million are from sub-saharan africa.

Children With AIDS

Many children under the age of 15 are living with HIV/AIDS. AIDS has Orphaned Many Children Worldwide. Nearly 12.1 Million just in Africa, And About 1.1 Million in the rest of the world. Thats about 13.2 Million Orphans worldwide just from HIV/AIDS! Most children lose their parents to AIDS in africa. Some Children Get it right from when their born. Though others can get HIV/AIDS later in life.

What Percent Of Africa Has HIV/AIDS?