World AIDS Vaccine Day, also known as HIV Vaccine Awareness Day, is observed annually on May 18. World AIDS Vaccine Day advocates the marked date by promoting the continued urgent need for a vaccine to prevent HIV infection and AIDS. To acknowledge and thank the thousands of volunteers, community members, health professionals, supporters and scientists who are working together to find a safe and effective AIDS vaccine.

A Comprehensive Guide to HIV and AIDS

What is AIDS?

AIDS is a disease that can develop in people with HIV. It’s the most advanced stage of HIV. But just because a person has HIV doesn’t mean AIDS will develop. HIV and AIDS are related, but they’re not the same thing. The virus can be transmitted through contact with infected blood, semen or vaginal fluids. Most people get the virus by having unprotected sex with someone who has HIV. The virus isn’t transferred in air or water, or through casual contact. Within a few weeks of HIV infection, flu-like symptoms such as fever, sore throat and fatigue can occur. Without treatment, a person with HIV is likely to develop a serious condition called the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, known as AIDS. At that point, the immune system is too weak to successfully respond against other diseases, infections, and conditions. Untreated, life expectancy with end stage AIDS is about 3 years.

Currently there is no vaccine available that will prevent HIV infection or treat those who have it. However, scientists are working to develop one. It is very difficult to develop a vaccine against HIV because it  mutates very rapidly, evading antibodies.

Prevention:

• use a condom during sexual intercourse (vaginal, anal or oral)
• avoid sharing syringes
• when getting a tattoo or piercing, make sure the material is new and disposable or sterilized
• use disposable gloves when at risk of direct contact with blood
• for HIV positive women, consider giving birth by caesarian section
• for HIV positive women who are new mothers, consider feeding your baby with formula instead of breastfeeding

The HIV epidemic has taught scientists, clinicians, public health officials, and the public that new infectious agents can still emerge. The nation must be prepared to deal with a fatal illness whose cause is initially unknown but whose epidemiology suggests it is an infectious disease.