HIV/AIDS is one of the most devastating diseases to hit both the developed and developing world. Today, 40 million people live with HIV (mostly in Africa, where there are 25.8 million people living with HIV). In 2005, there were 4.9 million new HIV infections. In that same year, 3.1 million died because of AIDS. The WHO estimates that 25 million people have died since AIDS was first identified, making it an epidemic. Human Immunodeficiency Virus, otherwise known as HIV, tampers with the immune system, damaging and destroying cells, and lessening the body’s ability to fight off disease. This offers a passage way for other infections to take over. HIV is the cause of Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome or AIDS. If people infected with HIV don't receive treatment, they usually develop AIDS in 10 years, leaving the body vulnerable to other diseases (including pneumonia). Without treatment, the average life expectancy after developing AIDS is 9 months.

HIV/AIDS can affect anyone, anywhere; however there are some factors that can increase the chances of being infected, such as having sex without using appropriate protection. Intravenous drug users are at high risk for infection, which can come about when infected needles are used.

In the developed world, the wide spread promotion of condoms, the routine checks done on blood transfusions, and the availability of treatment have made HIV/AIDS rates considerably lower than those in the developing world. Furthermore, while HIV testing is affordable in the developed world, that is not the case in the developing world. For instance, less than 1% of sexually active people living in Urban Africa have been tested. HIV/AIDS is a major problem in Sub-Saharan Africa. Countries such as Swaziland and Botswana have infection rates as high as 30%, leading to incredibly low life expectancy.

In a healthy human body, the immune system attacks foreign substances, keeping the body free from infection. With HIV, this function is impaired, and the body becomes more prone to infection and disease. If AIDS develops, the immune system is damaged significantly. HIV is spread through contact with contaminated bodily fluids, usually through unprotected sex, blood transfusions, or the use of contaminated needles. It can also be spread from mother to child (through pregnancy, delivery, or breastfeeding). 600,000 infants each year are infected with HIV in this way.

HIV symptoms vary with time. When a person is first infected, there are usually no symptoms at all. However after 2 – 6 weeks, and HIV starts to take hold, flu like symptoms may develop. One may then remain symptom free for up to 10 years, before HIV destroys enough white blood cells and immune cells to make the body prone to opportunistic infection. Over time, one may experience diarrhea, weight loss, and coughing. As time passes, HIV becomes more and more serious. After an average of 10 years, victims usually suffer from diseases such as Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, which take advantage of the body's weakened immune system. During this last stage of infection, AIDS may develop, and may prove fatal.

There is no vaccine available that cures HIV/AIDS. Antiretroviral therapy (HAART - Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy) can be prescribed and usually improves the patient's quality of life greatly.

There are no vaccines for HIV/AIDS, as well as no cure. However, there are certainly means to lessen the chances of being infected with this deadly disease. Following safe sex practices by using a condom and educating children about the dangers of unsafe sex can prevent infection. Mother-to-child transmission can be prevented through the use of medicines or in severe cases, through Caesarian section.

Michael G (14) and Patrick G (12), Doors to Diplomacy 2007