What are HIV and AIDS?

Human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV, and acquired immune deficiency syndrome, or AIDS, are part of the same disease, with HIV occurring in the early stages of the disorder and AIDS occurring in the later stages. HIV is the virus that causes AIDS. AIDS is a chronic life-threatening condition that damages the cells of the immune system. This prevents the body from fighting off viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites. People infected with HIV and AIDS are vulnerable to the damaging effects of many diseases. There is no known cure for HIV or AIDS.

How common are HIV and AIDS in women?

In recent years, the rate of HIV infection among women worldwide has been increasing. By the end of 2003, 19.2 million women were living with HIV or AIDS worldwide, according to the World Health Organization. This figure represents nearly half the 40 million adults living with HIV or AIDS. Women make up a smaller percentage of HIV and AIDS patients in developed nations. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that over 37,000 Americans, including more than 9,700 females, were diagnosed with AIDS through 2005.

Younger women are increasingly being diagnosed with HIV infection. Women age 15 to 39 accounted for around 60 percent of the female HIV and AIDS diagnoses reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2004.

However, HIV can infect older women who are sexually active as easily as it infects younger women. Some older women may be less educated about HIV and AIDS and ways to prevent infection. In addition, some doctors may be more reluctant to discuss the issue with older women, or more likely to mistake HIV-related symptoms for routine signs of aging. For these reasons, older women must be involved in seeking out preventive care.