June is HIV/AIDS Awareness Month [INFOGRAPHIC]

To show our support for National HIV/AIDS Awareness Month and all that it has helped to accomplish, we’d like to share this new infographic! Click on this thumbnail to see the full image:

June is HIV/AIDS Awareness Month

Looking at the statistics for HIV/AIDs can be a bit scary. It’s estimated that at least 1.8 million Americans have contracted the HIV virus (including more 650,000 who’ve succumbed to the illness since 1981). Currently, there are more than 1.1 million Americans living with HIV, and an estimated 34 million around the world. Fortunately, the treatments available for HIV patients are helping to keep them healthier for longer.

U.S. Specific Statistics

  • More than 1.1 million people in the U.S. are living with an HIV infection
  • There an estimated 50,000 new HIV infections per year.
  • Gay and bisexual men are most seriously affected by HIV.
  • Nearly 1 in 6 people with HIV are unaware of their infection.

Global Statistics

  • There are an estimated 33.4 million people living with HIV/AIDS.
  • Since 1981, more than 25 million people have died from AIDS.
  • 2 million people die from AIDS each year.
  • There are an estimated 2.7 million new infections each year.
  • 97 percent of HIV-positive cases occur in low and middle income countries.
  • Most at-risk communities don’t have access to proper treatment or prevention services for HIV/AIDS.

Tests Used for HIV

  • HIV Antibody Test (most common HIV test) – Looks for HIV antibodies in the blood, urine, or fluids from the mouth. These antibodies are proteins the body produces in response to HIV infection. Results can take anywhere from a couple days to weeks.
  • HIV RNA Test – This test can identify HIV in the bloodstream within 9 to 11 days after the person is infected with HIV– before the body has produced the antibodies which are detected by the HIV antibody test. Results are available within a few days to weeks.
  • Western Blot Test – If someone tests positive for HIV, then a second test is issued to confirm the diagnosis. This is the antibody test typically used to confirm the diagnosis. Results are available within a few days to weeks and a positive result confirms the infection.

AIDS Awareness Events

Notable Organizations for HIV/AIDS

Interested in Making a Donation?

Can you picture a world where you no longer have to worry if you or someone important to you is going to be one of the estimated 50,000 new HIV cases diagnosed this year? The following organizations are all accepting donations throughout the year:

All donations made during HIV/AIDS Awareness Month will help fund new clinical trials, screening, treatment, and education programs.