The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) continues to spread globally at worrying rates. AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) is the final stage of HIV infection.

Today, almost 37 million people around the world are living with HIV and 34 million have died of AIDS since the epidemic began. 

The Joint United Nations Program on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) estimated that an additional two million individuals got infected just during 2014.

Today, there are 31 antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat HIV infection.

By suppressing the amount of virus in the body with ARVs, people infected with HIV can now lead longer and healthier lives.

At the start of 2015, 15 million people were receiving ARV therapy compared to 1 million in 2001.