How much do you know about HIV/AIDS? - Test Yourself
You may know more than you think - or you may not! Want to take a quick quiz to see where you stand?
A Quick Quiz: Just for starters, why don't you see what you know and don't know about HIV/AIDS?
Startling Statistics
There is some debate over the exact numbers, but the following statistics were reported by the United Nations for 2007. Note the numbers appear to be very conservative and have been revised downward significantly from past years. Many other publications and video clips will quote much higher numbers.
* Over 25 million people worldwide have already died of AIDS
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| Patients in the Nakekela Care Center listening to the nurses sing. |
* The number of people living with AIDS exceeds 33 million, of which 22.5 million live in Sub-Saharan Africa .
* Approximately 6800 persons are newly infected with HIV each day,
of which 4657 live in Sub-Saharan Africa .
* Approximately 5700 people die EACH day from AIDS
* Eight of every 10 children whose parents have died of AIDS live in
Sub-Saharan Africa, producing approximately 11 million AIDS orphans
in that territory.
* South Africa - 1.2 Million
* Zimbabwe - 1.1 Million
* Kenya - 1.1 Million
* Tanzania - 1.1 Million
* Up to 25 percent of the agricultural labor force in sub-Sahara Africa could be lost by 2020 due to AIDS. (sources: Food and Agricultural Organization)
Link to excellent material on HIV / AIDS provided by the
Willow Creek Church and World Vision.
Link to excellent material on HIV / AIDS provided by the
Saddleback HIV/AIDS Caring CommUNITY.
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| Jennifer visits with a patient at the Nakekela Care Center |
What is HIV/AIDS?
HIV stands for "Human Immunodeficiency Virus." HIV impairs the body's ability to fight disease by weakening the immune system. When the CD 4 count, a means of measuring the effectiveness of one's immune system, of a person infected with HIV goes below 200, they are said to have active AIDS. AIDS stands for "Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome."
Check out an excellent
video that describes HIV / AIDS in a very understandable way.
Is There a Cure for AIDS?
There is no cure for AIDS, but a very effective treatment regimen does exist in the form of Anti-retroviral drugs (ARV's). A person on ARV treatment can live an extended productive life. The challenge is to match the person with the treatment regimen and ensure the individual has the type of support that will encourage and inspire the person to continue their treatment.
"Offering hope and action instead of despair and paralysis
to the people of Tampa Bay and KwaMhlanga , South Africa, who are afflicted with or impacted by HIV/AIDS."
