The disease has become subject to many controversies involving religion, including the Catholic Church's position not to support condom use as prevention. There are many misconceptions about HIV/AIDS, such as the belief that it can be transmitted by casual non-sexual contact. The disease also has large economic impacts. Recognized worldwide in the early 1980s, HIV/AIDS has had a large impact on society, both as an illness and as a source of discrimination. Disease in a baby can often be prevented by giving both the mother and child antiretroviral medication. Methods of prevention include safe sex, needle exchange programs, treating those who are infected, as well as both pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis. Oral sex has little to no risk of transmitting the virus.

Some bodily fluids, such as saliva, sweat, and tears, do not transmit the virus. HIV is spread primarily by unprotected sex (including anal and vaginal sex), contaminated hypodermic needles or blood transfusions, and from mother to child during pregnancy, delivery, or breastfeeding. This stage is often also associated with unintended weight loss. These late symptoms of infection are referred to as acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). 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 rare in people who have normal immune function. Typically, this is followed by a prolonged incubation period with no symptoms. Following initial infection an individual may not notice any symptoms, or may experience a brief period of influenza-like illness. Human immunodeficiency virus infection and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome ( HIV/AIDS) is a spectrum of conditions caused by infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), a retrovirus.

Near normal life expectancy with treatment ġ1 years life expectancy without treatment Ħ4.8 million – 113 million total cases Safe sex, needle exchange, male circumcision, pre-exposure prophylaxis, post-exposure prophylaxis Unprotected anal or vaginal sex, having another sexually transmitted infection, needle sharing, medical procedures involving unsterile cutting or piercing, and experiencing needlestick injury Later: Large lymph nodes, fever, weight loss The red ribbon is a symbol for solidarity with HIV-positive people and those living with AIDS.

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