The Facts
AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) was first recognized in North America in the early 1980s. It is caused by a virus named the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). HIV infection has become a worldwide epidemic. About 40 million people are currently infected with the virus. In North America, the virus has infected nearly a million people and killed almost half a million people to date. In the United States, an estimated 38,000 people are currently living with HIV/AIDS.
HIV is more common among certain populations at risk such as IV (intravenous) drug users, and bisexual and gay men. The HIV infection rate is increasing more quickly among women and people of American Indian origin.