What are HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infections (STIs)?
HIV is a global epidemic affecting more than 38 million people, predominantly in sub-Saharan Africa, but the epidemic is growing worldwide. It is spread through unprotected sex, but also through needle sharing (intravenous drug use and tattoos, for example). STIs are a common problem worldwide. They include chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis, trichomoniasis, and genital herpes. If left untreated, they can cause illness, infertility and disability, and increase the risk of HIV/AIDS. They can also be spread to partners and transmitted to unborn/newborn children. While many can be treated fairly easily, some leave lasting damage, and all of them need treatment as early as possible.
