HIV/AIDS IN AFRICA - UNDERSTANDING HIV/AIDS

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UNDERSTANDING HIV/AIDS IN AFRICA

Courtesy: WIKIPEDIA

The HIV/AIDS pandemic is one of the greatest risks the world has ever faced. The implicit consequences of the HIV/AIDS pandemic will require a commitment from every individual, every company, every country and every region - a strategic response, intensive planning and immediate action to minimise the impact on business, industries and economies. Entire industries and economies will be affected, and no country, business or individual will be untouched: those who are not infected will be affected.

Human immunodeficiency virus infection and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) is a spectrum of conditions caused by infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
Following initial infection a person may not notice any symptoms, or may experience a brief period of influenza-like illness. Typically, this is followed by a prolonged period with no symptoms. If the infection progresses, it interferes more with the immune system, increasing the risk of developing common infections such as tuberculosis, as well as other opportunistic infections, and tumors which are otherwise rare in people who have normal immune function. These late symptoms of infection are referred to as acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). This stage is often also associated with unintended weight loss.

HIV is spread primarily by unprotected sex (including anal and oral sex), contaminated blood transfusions, hypodermic needles, and from mother to child during pregnancy, delivery, or breastfeeding. Some bodily fluids, such as saliva, sweat and tears, do not transmit the virus.

HIV is a member of the group of viruses known as retroviruses.

Africa is the worst affected continent, and Sub-Saharan Africa is the worst affected region in the world, with 25 million people living with HIV.

2003 saw an estimated 3 million new HIV infections and 2.2 million AIDS-related deaths in this region. Almost 2 million children under 15 are HIV positive and there are more than 12 million Aids orphans. South Africa has the highest infection rate of any country on the entire planet.

HIV/AIDS is a major public health concern and cause of death in many parts of Africa. Although the continent is home to about 15.2 percent of the world's population, more than two-thirds of the total infected worldwide - some 35 million people - were Africans, of whom 15 million have already died. Sub-Saharan Africa alone accounted for an estimated 69 percent of all people living with HIV and 70 percent of all AIDS deaths in 2011.

AIDS has raised death rates and lowered life expectancy among adults between the ages of 20 and 49 by about twenty years. Furthermore, the life expectancy in many parts of Africa is declining, largely as a result of the HIV/AIDS epidemic with life-expectancy in some countries reaching as low as thirty-four years.

The Foundation for the Development of Africa is proud to dedicate this section of its world-rated website to this very important issue. We welcome any comments and contributions to this section - as we maintain:

"None of us is as good as all of us!"

HIV/AIDS ISSUES FOR EMPLOYERS

MORE FUNDS NEEDED TO FIGHT HIV/AIDS

PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS TO MANAGING THE RISK OF HIV/AIDS

HIV/AIDS: A STRATEGIC BUSINESS IMPERATIVE

CIVIL SOCIETY (South Africa) CONSULTATION ON TRADE AND HIV/AIDS

USEFUL LINKS TO INFORMATION ON HIV/AIDS

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The Foundation for the Development of Africa
"Participation Builds Unity"

"MADE IN AFRICA - FOR AFRICA"

THE FOUNDATION FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF AFRICA
is a private, 'not-for-profit', non-membership, organisation actively serving Africa by promoting processes conducive to sustainable development ......throughout Africa - with the emphasis on sustainability!
This organisation is currently rated as one of the most proactive Sustainable Business Development Organisations in Africa!
Serving Africa since 1999.

We are actively involved with promoting the
AFRICAN RENEWAL PROGRAMME

However -
We firmly believe that sustainable development is a process that must start from within - Africa needs to "partner" with herself first!
We also prefer the phrase: "Lets create wealth" rather than "Lets alleviate poverty"
Our initiatives include enabler 'showcasing'; networking opportunities; business opportunities; investment opportunities; promotion of special projects; dissemination of business information; joint venture initiatives and a range of value added services - all to serve
AFRICA!

We facilitate processes, including networking sessions that would lead to sustainable development, hence our motto:
"Nothing is as ‘powerful’ as the Human Network"

"Sustainable Development is the action and/or act of bringing people and/or processes into position for the effective use in the support and/or delivery of efforts, conducts and the cause!"

All our efforts are privately funded!

Peter METCALFE
1999

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