The AIDS epidemic has spread for almost 30 years. Thirty-three million people are living with HIV worldwide and 28 million have died from an AIDS-related illness since 1981, mostly in Africa. A new HIV infection is diagnosed somewhere in the world every seven seconds and someone dies from an AIDS-related illness every 11 seconds. Almost 17,000 people are living with HIV in Australia, and about 1,000 become infected each year; over 6,700 Australians have died from AIDS during the last 25 years.

HIV and AIDS contains an overview of the history and prevalence of AIDS globally and in Australia, and explains the latest developments in HIV prevention and treatment. Key topics include: understanding the causes of transmission; HIV prevention programs for specific communities and populations; HIV and safer sex practices; injecting drug use and needle exchange programs; HIV testing; drug treatments and the search for an AIDS cure; the experience of people living with HIV, including discrimination and disclosure issues.

This book is presented in three chapters: HIV and AIDS around the world; HIV/AIDS prevalence and prevention in Australia; Treatment and living with HIV/AIDS. Also includes: Worksheets and activities ; Fast facts ; Glossary ; Web links ; Index.