Access to protection against the virus
People infected with the HIV virus can live long, productive, healthy lives by adhering to antiretroviral (ARV) drug treatment. ARVs suppress the virus and prevent it from spreading to others.
People at high risk of contracting HIV can block the virus by taking daily ARV drugs, a treatment known as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Mother-to-infant transmission can also be prevented with ARV drugs; treatment should begin as early as possible in pregnancy and continue during breastfeeding. People who inject drugs can prevent infection by using only sterile injecting equipment. Male circumcision provides partial protection, along with safer sex practices.
By the numbers
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96%
Reduction in the risk of transmitting HIV to an uninfected sexual partner, if an HIV-positive person adheres to an effective antiretroviral regimen
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About 60%
The amount, per sexual encounter, that male circumcision cuts the risk of heterosexually acquired HIV infection
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1 in 3
An infant’s chances of being infected with HIV if the mother doesn’t get antiretroviral therapy during pregnancy
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85% or more
Prevention against HIV provided by male latex condoms
Why is Unitaid investing in prevention?
Nearly all children with HIV/AIDS are infected through the preventable transmission of the virus from mother to child. By testing pregnant women and providing those who are HIV-positive with more effective treatment, Unitaid is helping to prevent the transmission of HIV to their babies. Unitaid was the world’s largest funder of integrated Prevention of Mother-To-Child Transmission of HIV (PMTCT) programmes and is a major player in the drive to reach the target of no child born with HIV.
Testing is a vital component, as well, in preventing the spread of HIV in the population at large. An estimated quarter of all people living with HIV in 2017 knew they are infected. To meet the UNAIDS target that 90 percent of people living with HIV know their status by 2020, it is essential to move beyond conventional testing. Unitaid’s investments are stimulating self-testing in Africa. Self-test kits can bring a diagnosis to people who live far from clinics or are reluctant to be tested due to local stigma associated with going to a clinic for an HIV test.
