About HIV
Determine HIV 1/2
There are two main forms of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus:
HIV-1 and HIV-2. HIV-1 was discovered in 1983 at the Institute
Pasteur in Paris and HIV-2 was first discovered amongst patients in
Cameroon in 1985. HIV-2 is less virulent than HIV-1, usually
not resulting in full blown AIDS, but nevertheless is still
fatal.
By infecting and gradually destroying the immune system, HIV
reduces the body’s protection against cancers, pneumonia and other
infections that can take hold and lead to death.
Initially someone living with HIV may not display any symptoms
of the infection because their immune system can control it at
first, but ultimately drug support will be required. Anti-HIV
drugs can help the immune system and keep the HIV infection under
control, but cannot completely rid the body of HIV infection.
“Knowledge of HIV status is the gateway to combating
AIDS”
Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS
A growing epidemic…over 40 million people are living
with aids…around 5 million people were newly infected in 2005…over
3 million people died.
(Aids Epidemic Update, December 2005, UNAIDS)
- Just over 10% of the world’s population, but home to more than
60% of all people living with HIV – 25.8 million.
- In 2005, an estimated 3.2 million people in the region became
newly infected, while 2.4 million adults and children died of
AIDS.
- By 2010 an estimated 18 million children in sub-Saharan Africa
alone will be orphaned by HIV/AIDS.
Asia
- In 2005, approximately 8.3 million people were living with HIV,
including 1.1 million who became newly infected in the past 12
months. Over 500,000 people died from the disease in
2005.
- The number of people living with HIV was estimated at 1.8
million in 2005.
More rapid testing and diagnosis of HIV helps patients access
life saving medications.
Determine® HIV-1/2
provides easy, fast and accurate diagnosis and can be relied upon
almost anywhere in the world.