Children affected by HIV/Aids
HIV/Aids is having a devastating effect on the world’s children, especially those in the developing world, and especially those in Africa. The disease strikes children directly through infection, creates orphans and places a heavy burden on young shoulders when family members fall ill.
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HIV and parents
As a parent, you can help protect your child from HIV infection, and contribute to the fight against HIV/Aids generally, in the following ways...
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HIV and gay sex
Increased societal acceptance in recent times, as well as gay advocacy, has lead more gay people to be open about their sexuality.
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HIV and older people
A common misconception is that HIV is not an issue that relates to older adults (those over the age of 50). We tend not to think of older people as being sexually active or using drugs, and therefore not at risk for infection. |
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HIV and health workers
Health workers include doctors, nurses, paramedics and aides who work with patients in hospitals, clinics and other health-care settings. The following HIV-related issues are especially relevant to health workers... |
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HIV and sex workers
A sex worker is a person who performs sexual acts for payment. Many different kinds of people become involved in sex work, |
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HIV and prisoners
Male prisoners in South Africa and elsewhere are at a very high risk of being infected with HIV. |
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Haemophilia and HIV
Haemophilia is a rare inherited blood disease. People with haemophilia have faulty, or too little, blood clotting factor (the part of the blood that makes it thicken or form a scab). This means that they bleed easily – after a small injury or bump, or even spontaneously (without any injury). |
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HIV and Diabetes
Diabetes is a medical condition associated with high levels of sugar in the blood. The word diabetes literally means “sweet urine” because sugar (glucose) that cannot enter the body’s cells is then excreted in the urine. There are two forms of the disease, Type 1 and Type 2.
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HIV and Tuberculosis: The scourge of Africa
Tuberculosis (TB) is the most serious and most common opportunistic infection that attacks HIV-infected people, especially in Africa. |
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HIV and malaria
HIV-infected individuals are more prone to malaria than non-infected individuals. |
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The deadly alliance of STDs and HIV
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are a major health issue in southern Africa. It has been estimated that over 1 million people seek treatment for STDs every year in private practices and municipal clinics. |
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HIV, teens and young adults
Teenagers and young adults are being especially hard hit by the HIV/Aids pandemic: more than half of people newly infected with HIV are between 15 and 24 years old. |
