HIV/AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa
HIV/AIDS remains one of the world's most notable health challenges, mainly in the worlds low- and middle- income countries.
What is HIV/AIDS?
HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) interferes with your body's ability to fight the organisms that cause diseases. HIV is a sexually transmitted infection that is also spread by contact with infected blood, or from mother to child from pregnancy, birth, or even breast feeding.
Now AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) is part of HIV. It's not only a constantly recurring disease, it,s even a potentially life-threatening disease, but also the final stage of HIV that causes severe damage to the immune system.
Now AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) is part of HIV. It's not only a constantly recurring disease, it,s even a potentially life-threatening disease, but also the final stage of HIV that causes severe damage to the immune system.
Many people are aware of HIV and AIDS. The red ribbon represents HIV/AIDS awareness and many people raise money through donations to help find the cure.
Sub Saharan Africa
Sub-Saharan Africa (as you see on this map) is everything south of North Africa. As you can also see there's a lot of land and many countries. They all suffer from HIV/AIDS, some more than others
HIV/AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa
To date, around 17 million Africans have died from AIDS. 25 million Africans are infected with the HIV virus. Between 1999 and 2000 more people died in Africa of AIDS than in all the wars on the continent. Each day 6,000 people in Africa die of AIDS, while 11,000 are infected.
In 2009 an estimated 5.6 million people in South Africa alone, were living with HIV or AIDS, which is more then in any country.
In 2009 an estimated 5.6 million people in South Africa alone, were living with HIV or AIDS, which is more then in any country.
What about the children?
Well, 91% of the world's HIV positive children live in Africa. About 15 million children under the age of 18 around the world have lost one or both parents to AIDS. Nearly 12 million of them live in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Each day, nearly 1,000 children world wide become infected with HIV. Currently, less then 10% of HIV positive children in need of treatment are being treated.
Each day, nearly 1,000 children world wide become infected with HIV. Currently, less then 10% of HIV positive children in need of treatment are being treated.
What can we do to help?
There are many organizations out there raising money for treatment and to find the cure. The money goes to research centers to help find cures for HIV/AIDS. Doctors and Scientists say their so close to finding it, they might find the cure in about a decade!
Their Getting Weaker
Children affected by HIV/AIDS die every day.
The color red
The red ribbon represents HIV/AIDS awareness.
Family
Many families share the HIV virus due to their mothers.