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United States
Rates of HIV infection remained at about 40,000/year until
2006 when the CDC reported 56,000 new cases. This increased
incidence of new infections sparked an interest among scientists,
medical providers and the media. CDC responded by saying that
the increase was primarily due to improved reporting techniques,
not an actual significant increase in new infections. They
also warned that up to 25% of people currently infected with
HIV are not aware of their status because they have not been
tested, or have been tested and have not returned for test
results.
In September 2006 CDC changed their recommendations for HIV
testing among adults and adolescents. The revised guidelines
emphasized four major foci:
- The importance of HIV testing for all patients between
the ages of 13 and 64;
- The need to streamline the pre and post test criteria
for HIV testing;
- Advised making HIV testing a routine part of medical care;
and
- Stressed the importance of early detection and linkage
into specialty care.
In the US, the largest numbers of HIV infection continue
to be among men who have sex with men (MSM).
Global
Globally, there are an estimated 32 million people infected
with HIV/AIDS. About one-half of all cases of HIV are among
women. The burden of HIV/AIDS is greatest among the poor.
In some countries, as many as one out of every four people
are infected. Besides being a risk factor for infection poverty
is a hindrance to prevention efforts; in many areas HIV testing
is not available, in others, there is no medication available
to those who are infected. Unprotected heterosexual sex is
a common route of transmission, along with prostitution and
intravenous drug use.
Continue on to Routes
of HIV Transmission
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