In Britain, around 41,200 people are thought to be infected with HIV, and a third of them do not know. The highest rate of new cases ever was recorded as recently as 2001. The number of people infected in UK is expected to rise by 50% over next five years. Fifteen thousand people have died of HIV-related diseases so far.

HIV HIV stands for "Human Immunodeficiency Virus". This virus gets inside our body and then stops our immune system from working properly. This happens over a period of time and length of time taken is different for each person. When immune system is disrupted, we are more prone to infections.

Normally when infections get inside us, our own immune system knows about it. There are a lot of different "cells" spread around inside us that have different roles to play in fighting infection. They move around body where ever they are needed. The two main types are red blood cells and white blood cells. The white blood cells are split into two main camps

The most important thing to know about Chlamydia is that any one who is having sex is vulnerable. You only need to have unprotected sex with one person who has infection to catch it; but of course, more partners you have, more likely you are to be infected. During 2001, there were more than 71,000 new reported cases, highest level ever and a 10 % rise from 2000.

According to Public Health laboratory Service figures it is estimated that one in ten under 25 year olds now have infection.

If you are over 25 and have had two partners within a year, or recently changed partners your risk increases.

One of most alarming problems with Chlamydia is that it is asymptomatic; that is to say most people don’t know that they have it in early stages. This means that it is very easily passed on without people knowing. Some warning signs could be: