HIV infection is caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV I & II). The end stage of this disease is called Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS).

HIV infection is spread mainly through: 

• Sexual contact with an infected person;
• Sharing contaminated needles, such as those used by intravenous drug abusers;
• Transfusion of contaminated blood (rarely); or
• From a HIV-infected mother to her unborn baby.

People with AIDS have poorer resistance against infection because their bodies' resistance mechanisms are greatly weakened. Hence, they may develop severe and fatal infections like pneumonia and rare forms of cancer.

Most people who have been infected with HIV do not know that they carry the virus because they may look and feel completely well.

People with an increased risk of developing HIV infection must not give blood. They include: 

• People who have had a positive HIV test;
• People with AIDS;
• People who have had sex with multiple partners;
• People who engage in casual sex;
• Men who have sex with other men;
• People who have injected themselves with drugs;
• People who are prostitutes;
• People with signs and symptoms of AIDS i.e. weight loss, swollen glands in the neck, armpits or groin, persistent diarrhoea or rare cancers; or
• Anyone who has had sex with anyone from the above groups.