HIV/AIDS

Conditions and Treatments

HIV attacks the body's immune system, impairing its ability to fight infections and eventually leading to AIDS. People with AIDS may develop other medical complications and infections, called opportunistic infections, because their immune systems are unable to fight viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites.

Worldwide, about 40 million people are infected with HIV and an estimated 5 million more become infected each year. Since AIDS was first diagnosed in 1981, more than 830,000 cases have been reported in the United States. While the disease strikes all people, it's most prevalent today among African American males age 25 to 44.

Typically, the period between HIV infection and the development of AIDS is eight to 10 years. But the period can range widely from one to 20 years and not everyone gets AIDS.

Today, new medications and specialized care are helping people with HIV and AIDS live longer, healthier lives. Testing to identify HIV infection as early as possible allows patients to seek the latest, effective treatments that can help slow or prevent serious complications.

Reviewed by health care specialists at UCSF Medical Center.
Last updated May 8, 2007