The purpose of this literature review is to discuss HIV and AIDS in South Africa. HIV and AIDS represent a major health problem in the southern part of Africa. This essay will explain how HIV and AIDS can be contracted and transmitted, the effect it has on victims, the impact it has on the economy, why HIV and AIDS rates are rapidly increasing in South Africa, how it can be shortened, then followed by a conclusion that will summarize the entire review. HIV and AIDS have been designated a sexually transmitted disease (STD) in South Africa because it is transmitted primarily through unprotected sexual intercourse; but then HIV and AIDS can also be transmitted through circumstances in which it is not possible to control them, such as blood transfusions, sharp objects such as razor blades, needles, injections and in some cases it is transmitted at birth if the mother does not take drugs during pregnancy (network of positive women, 2012). It is also not possible to contract HIV and AIDS through kissing, shaking hands, hugging, etc. It can only be contracted through any form of blood exchange with an HIV patient. One of the main effects that HIV and AIDS have on the South African economy is the reduction of labor supply through increased rates of illness and mortality (Avert, 2014). This means that the disease has a direct impact on the workforce and the most productive years of the person's life. This has led to large numbers of unemployed and increased poverty rates due to the fact that these people cannot work and sometimes have difficulty feeding themselves, paying for adequate healthcare or caring for their families. Since there is a reduction in the supply of labor, there is also a reduction in the country's production, which means a reduction in exports and a... middle of paper... AIDS patients need to be shown love and care, this could prolong their health. They need to be understood because they tend to become moody and have a short temper. Most patients develop low self-esteem and lose more self-confidence than before. Sometimes their society despises them and this stigmatizes them. They lose their jobs, family and friends for fear of contagion. To reduce the spread of HIV and AIDS, the South African government must educate young people in school so they can open their eyes to this chronic disease and its effects. HIV-negative people must also be educated, in order to create an environment free from fear of prejudicial social attitudes towards HIV and without stereotypes towards HIV (Visser p. 2007). Schools should offer more sex education to students so they can be educated about the implications of unsafe sex.