HIV stands for “human immunodeficiency virus,” a retrovirus that infects key cells in the human immune system, impairing their ability to fight off infection or destroying them altogether. AIDS, or “acquired immunodeficiency syndrome” describes the collection of symptoms and infections associated with the acquired deficiency of the immune system, and is the final stage of HIV infection. Full-blown AIDS is defined by the CDC as a CD4 positive T cell count of less than 200 per mm3 of blood. When a person is considered to have AIDS, their immune system falls prey to “opportunistic infections,” diseases that a healthy person can fight off, but can easily kill someone with a severely compromised immune system.

In 2006, there were an estimated 39.5 million people around the world living with HIV; in Sub-Saharan Africa alone, the number was 24.7 million. And only 56% of those living in sub-Saharan African have sustainable access to an improved water source. Those living with HIV/AIDS are especially susceptible to the diseases bred in unclean water. These victims may be parents, professionals, and leaders, and their deaths deprive communities of the means to build a solid social foundation. The provision of clean water can nearly eliminate the majority of these diseases, allowing those with HIV/AIDS to live longer, healthier, more productive lives.

*Sources: UNAIDS, Human Development Report 2006
(http://unaids.org/en/KnowledgeCentre/Resources/QandA/FastFacts/default.asp)