Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) attacks cells that help the body fight infection, making a person more vulnerable to other infections and diseases. It is spread through contact with the bodily fluids of an HIV-positive person, such as through sex or sharing injection drug equipment. If left untreated, HIV can lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), the late stage of HIV infection that occurs when the body’s immune system is badly damaged because of the virus. There is no effective cure for HIV, but with proper medical care, it can be controlled.​
Treatment, Management and Prevention
HIV Testing and Diagnostics
Editors in Conversation: Avoiding HIV False Positives
Article: Unique Challenges, Unique Solutions: Tackling HIV Testing
Reducing HIV/AIDS is a challenge across the globe. Understanding that barriers are as unique as the locations and people of the world is key.
Lesson Plan: Interpretation of ELISA and Western Blot Assays for HIV Infection Status
Working in pairs, students use an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to screen sera for antibodies to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
Guideline: Limitations for the Use of HIV-1 Western Blot in Plasma/Serum
ºÚÁÏÕýÄÜÁ¿and the Association of Public Health Laboratories drafted a document that addresses the limitations of the CDC laboratory algorithm for the diagnosis of HIV, published in June 2014.
HIV Discovery and Early Research
Progress Toward 90-90-90 UNAIDS Goals
In 2016, the United Nations General Assembly committed to ending the HIV/AIDS epidemic by 2030 using benchmarks meant to galvanize action in closing gaps in HIV testing, the number of patients receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) and the number of patients maintaining viral suppression. , set ambitious interim goals to be reached by 2020: 90% of HIV infected individuals should know their HIV+ status, 90% of those who know their status should be receiving ART treatment and 90% of those in treatment should have low enough viral loads to be considered virally suppressed.
Since the establishment of these goals, remarkable, but highly unequal, progress has been made, most notably in the expansion of access to antiretroviral therapy. However, because the achievements have not been shared equally within and between countries, the global HIV targets set for 2020 were not reached, according to a UNAIDS report.
In June 2021, adopted a new . The declaration was based on evidence, grounded in human rights, included and served as an important road map to advance the global HIV response. Moving forward, a new for 2026-2031 is to be adopted by the UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board and endorsed by United Nations Member States. The Strategy aims to facilitate renewed commitment to ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 by focusing on sustaining HIV responses around the world, centering people-focused services and empowering communities leading the HIV response. Continued global vigilance is critical, as the decisions and actions taken now will determine progress for years to come.