According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a retrovirus that infects cells of the human immune system, destroying or impairing their function. In the early stages of infection, the person has no symptoms. However, as the infection progresses, the immune system becomes weaker, and the person becomes more susceptible to so-called opportunistic infections. The most advanced stage of HIV infection is acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). It can take 10-15 years for an HIV-infected person to develop AIDS; antiretroviral drugs can slow down the process even further. HIV is transmitted through unprotected sexual intercourse (anal or vaginal), transfusion of contaminated blood, sharing of contaminated needles, and between a mother and her infant during pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding.

According to Mercy Corps, the spread of HIV/AIDS threatens to take millions more lives, reverse development gains in dozens of poor countries and imperil progress on issues ranging from human rights to regional stability.



Articles

Global Health - HIV/AIDS - Learn about devastating diseases and chronic health problems that people face all over the world.

The Future of the HIV/AIDS Fight - The last 25 years of the AIDS battle have proven that the future requires a dedicated global community devoted to delivering change.

Mobilizing Businesses against AIDS - A look at the role businesses can play in the fight against AIDS.

New Frontline in AIDS Awareness - In Benin, young people are using innovative approaches to increase HIV awareness.

Interview with Aziz Khudoberdiev, UN Programme HIV/AIDS - Uzbekistan is faced with the highest recorded level of HIV/AIDS cases in Central Asia.

Shortages of Health Services, Abundance of Red Tape Hamper AIDS/HIV Battle - Securing adequate funding is not sufficient to address the health-care needs of developing countries - instead, policymakers must focus on increasing absorption capacity.



Papers and Reports

Global HIV Prevention Working Group, Global Mobilization of HIV Prevention: A Blueprint for Action, Global HIV Prevention Working Group Report, July 2002

ICASO and the International Health and Human Rights Programme of the Francois-Xavier Bagnoud Centre for Health and Human Rights, HIV/AIDS and Human Rights in a Nutshell, Harvard School of Public Health, 2004

Oxfam, Learning to Survive: How Education for All Saves Millions of Young People from HIV/AIDS, Oxfam, 2004

HIV/AIDS Timeline - Landmarks in the history of HIV/AIDS



Film Resources

The Film Connection - A community of film lovers, social activists and lifelong learners who use our non-profit online film library to watch, discuss and act on compelling films from around the globe.

Mercy Corps' AIDS Module - The global AIDS pandemic is a leading challenge of our time. Since HIV was first documented in 1981, close to 25 million people have died of AIDS. This interactive e-training will better inform you about HIV/AIDS, and get you ready to take action!

What's Your Angle? - The "What's Your Angle: Teens Take on AIDS" video contest asked young people to address how the HIV/AIDS pandemic affects their local community in New York City as well as the global community.

Video Highlights "Sports for Peace and Life" - Learn about Mercy Corps' program to educate young people about HIV/AIDS in southern Sudan.



Organizations

Mercy Corps HIV/AIDS Resource- Mercy Corps works amid disasters, conflicts, chronic poverty and instability to unleash the potential of people who can win against nearly impossible odds.

World Health Organization - HIV/AIDS Program - As the directing and coordinating authority on international health, the World Health Organization (WHO) takes the lead within the UN system in the global health sector response to HIV/AIDS.

UNAIDS - UNAIDS is an innovative joint venture of the United Nations family. UNAIDS brings together the efforts and resources of ten UN system organizations to help the world prevent new HIV infections, care for those already infected, and mitigate the impact of the epidemic.





Do You Want to Take Action in the Fight against HIV/AIDS?

Find out how -

Global Citizen Corps Take Action against HIV/AIDS

The ONE Campaign

The Global Fund to Fight AIDS

World Aids Campaign



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