1) HIV = Human Immunodeficiency Virus

2) AIDS = Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome

3) HIV does not mean AIDS: “HIV simply means that an individual shows evidence of infection with the virus, but not evidence of profound changes which indicate AIDS.”—Dr. Michael Mellman

4) HIV is transmitted by blood, semen, vaginal secretions, breast milk

5) AIDS is NOT transmitted by saliva, sweat, or tears.

6) AIDS is a disease that weakens the immune system by destroying the specialized white blood cells called helper T cells that would normally fight infection.

7) In 1991, the WHO predicted that by the year 2000, 40 million people would be infected with HIV. The statistic in 2000 was around 30 million

due to advances in treatment.

8) Just this year, President Obama removed the ban on HIV-positive people from entering the country.

9) Under Food and Drug Administration rules, men who have had sex – even once – with another man since 1977 are not permitted to give blood under Food and Drug Administration rules. In May, the Federal Advisory Committee on Blood Safety and Availability announced that it is considering amending this policy.

10) “There’ve been studies that say that a person [in the US] who contracts HIV at 25 years old today can expect to live a completely normal lifespan. It’s something like up to 72 years," Mackenroth said. In poorer countries, AIDS has cut life expectancy almost in half.