2. Treatment

Although there is no actual cure, drugs are now available which suppress the progress of HIV infection and many sufferers can live relatively long and healthy lives. For most people with HIV, however recent advances in treatment will have little impact. The high cost of developing and producing new drugs and the lack of available money for healthcare in many countries make it unlikely that new treatments will ever be widely available in the developing world.

3. Who is most affected?

Throughout the world, roughly equal numbers of men and women are infected. But HIV mostly affects young adults and people in early middle age. These are the people who raise the children, support the elderly and build a country’s economy. The loss of such people has had and will continue to have a serious effect on the economies of some countries, particularly in some areas of Africa.

4. Stopping the epidemic

We could slow down the worldwide HIV epidemic if everyone had good information about preventing infection, along with support from society to help them act on this information. Furthermore, each new generation of gay men needs to be made aware of the risks of HIV.

5. Obstacles

Sometimes, for religious, cultural or economic reasons, it can be difficult for people to use condoms and protect themselves and their partners. A woman who is economically dependent on a man may find it impossible to ask for safer sex. Women are most commonly infected through unprotected sex with their husbands or long term partners. Some governments do not accept that HIV is a problem for them at all. A few national leaders even deny that some behaviour happens, such as sex between men or drug injecting. This can make it particularly difficult for people in those countries to be aware of and avoid the risks. We must continue to fight prejudice and increase understanding. Together we can make a difference.

3. D iscussion

Read the text again more carefully and answer these questions:

1. Why do most people not receive new treatments for HIV?

2. How does the spread of HIV affect a country’s economy?

3. What would help to slow down the spread of HIV infection?

4. What factors can be unhelpful in preventing the spread of HIV?

4 .Language 1

Read through the text again and find the verbs which go with the following nouns and noun phrases. The first one has been done for you.

1. make	little impact
2. …………………………..	new drugs
3………………………………	new drugs
4………………………………	a serious effect on
5……………………………….	infection
6. ……………………………..	aware of the risks
7……………………………….	the risks
8……………………………….	prejudice
9……………………………….	understanding
10…………………………….	a difference

Now match the adverbs on the left with the adjectives on the right:

11. widely	a. dependant on
12. roughly	b. difficult
13. economically	c. equal numbers
14. most commonly	d. available
15. particularly	e. infected

LANGUAGE 2

Complete the summary below with the correct form of words from the previous exercise:

Although research scientists have (1)…………… and (2) ………….. many new drugs to fight the HIV infection, at the moment these treatments are only widely (3) ……………….. in developed countries. In developing countries efforts to (4) ………………. Infection rest on (5)……………….. understanding of the disease and encouraging people to (6) …………… the risks of unprotected sex. The number of deaths among young people has, in some countries, (7) …………….. a serious effect on the national economy. It is vital therefore to continue to (8) …………. prejudice and continue to (9) ………………. people aware of the risks of HIV infection.