Since the start of the epidemic in the UK, 35,011 people are known to have been infected with HIV, 16,430 have developed AIDS and 13,136 have died.
The number of people dying each year has decreased dramatically from 1,375 in 1996 to 444 in 1998, with an estimated total of 232 in 1999.
HIV is increasingly seen as a chronic, manageable disease with research continuing into anti-HIV drugs. As yet, though, there is no cure and no vaccine.
Living with the knowledge of a serious and potentially life-threatening infection is likely to be stressful and difficult, even though a person may be in good health.
Many but not all have benefited from new drug treatments, but the drug regimes are tough and are not without side effects.
Misunderstanding and fear around HIV and AIDS has lessened but considerable prejudice remains which affects all areas of a person's life - relationships, social life, work, holidays, insurance, home ownership and travel.
In the UK the most serious impact of HIV has been felt by gay men.
Heterosexually acquired HIV in some parts of London now accounts for over half of new infections, with the increase greatest among young people under the age of 25.
Many people with HIV, especially gay men, have seen partners and many friends become ill and die.
Among African communities in the UK it is not unusual for many family members to have died and children to be orphaned.
Asylum seekers and refugees are increasingly disadvantaged in terms of potential health gains.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that 33.4 million adults have been infected, with 13.9 million having died.
Sub-Saharan African countries have been the worst affected with the epidemic now spreading most rapidly in South and South-East Asia.
New drug treatments are costly with the likelihood that many parts of the world will not benefit in the forseeable future.
HIV mainly affects young adults. The many lives lost in this age group has had a serious affect on the economy of many countries.
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