11 Facts About HIV Around the World

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1. “HIV” (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a virus that infects the immune system, decreasing its ability to fight off other infections and diseases.^["HIV/AIDS." Mayo Clinic. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hiv-aids/basics/definition/con-20013732 (accessed July 27, 2014).]
2. HIV can be transmitted through unprotected sex, transmission of infected blood, sharing infected needles or other sharp instruments, and from a mother to her baby during pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding.^["How Do You Get HIV or AIDS?." U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. http://aids.gov/hiv-aids-basics/hiv-aids-101/how-you-get-hiv-aids/ (accessed July 27, 2014).]
3. More than 35 million people live with HIV worldwide.^["Statistics: Worldwide." amfAR. http://www.amfar.org/about-hiv-and-aids/facts-and-stats/statistics--worldwide/ (accessed July 27, 2014).]
4. Over 1.1 million people in the US are living with HIV, but almost 1 in 6 don’t know it. Do yourself and loved ones a favor: get tested and encourage others to do the same using Instagram. Sign up for Update Your Status.^[Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "HIV in the United States: At A Glance." 03 Dec. 2013. Web. Accessed January 21, 2014. http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/statistics/basics/ataglance.html]
5. About 30 million people have died from HIV/AIDS-related causes since its discovery in 1981. Roughly 1.7 million died of HIV/AIDS in 2011 alone.^["Worldwide HIV & AIDS Statistics." HIV and AIDS information and resources. http://www.avert.org/worldwide-hiv-aids-statistics.htm (accessed July 28, 2014).]
6. At the end of 2011, there were 3.3 million children living with HIV around the world.^["Children and HIV/AIDS." HIV and AIDS information and resources. http://www.avert.org/children-and-hiv-aids.htm (accessed July 28, 2014).]
7. 70% of all people living with HIV (24.7 million) live in sub-Saharan Africa, including 91% of the world’s HIV-positive children.^["Statistics: Worldwide." amfAR. http://www.amfar.org/about-hiv-and-aids/facts-and-stats/statistics--worldwide/ (accessed July 27, 2014).]
8. Gay and bisexual men of all races are the most radically affected by HIV in the US.^["U.S. HIV/AIDS Statistics." U.S. Statistics. http://aids.gov/hiv-aids-basics/hiv-aids-101/statistics/ (accessed July 25, 2014).]
9. Most people living with or at risk of contracting HIV do not have access to prevention, care, or treatment. As of 2014, there is no cure for the virus.^["Global AIDS Overview." U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. http://aids.gov/federal-resources/around-the-world/global-aids-overview/ (accessed July 26, 2014).]
10. In 2007, approximately 74% of HIV/AIDS diagnoses were in males and 26% in females.^[CDC. HIV/AIDS Surveillance Report. Vol. 19; 2009.]
11. Every 9.5 minutes someone is diagnosed with HIV the the US.^["Fact Sheet: HIV/AIDS in the U.S.." amFAR. http://www.amfar.org/uploadedFiles/In_the_Community/Publications/Facts%20sheet%202pg2%20-domestic%2009.pdf?n=721 (accessed July 28, 2014).]