An estimated 850,000-950,000 individuals in the United States are living with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-the virus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Approximately 40,000 new HIV infections occur each year in the United States. One fourth of individuals living with HIV are unaware that they have the virus.
Anyone who practices risky behaviors is at risk for acquiring HIV. Risky behaviors include having unprotected sex with multiple partners or with someone of unknown HIV status and sharing injection drug needles or equipment. Anyone who practices risky behaviors can contract the virus regardless of age, sex, race, income or sexual orientation. It is important that people at risk for HIV get tested.
HIV transmission can be prevented by eliminating risky behaviors. HIV is spread through contact with bodily fluids from someone who is infected with the virus. Risky behaviors include having unprotected sex with a partner whose HIV status is unknown or who is infected with HIV, contact with infected blood and sharing injection drug needles or equipment containing blood from someone who may be infected with the virus.
Several factors may prevent individuals from getting tested for HIV. Complacency about the need for HIV prevention may be among the strongest barriers communities face today. Although new highly active antiretroviral therapies (HAART), also known as drug “cocktails,” have resulted in fewer newly reported AIDS cases and deaths, the availability of these treatment options may have lulled people into believing that preventing HIV transmission and getting tested for HIV are no longer important, despite the fact that this is a serious, chronic, and fatal disease. Another significant barrier that may prevent individuals from getting the HIV test or returning for the results is the fear of being ostracized from social communities, family or religious groups. Despite these possible barriers, it is important for at-risk individuals to get tested for HIV. There is significant evidence that, when people learn they are living with HIV, they often reduce their risk behaviors and the likelihood of transmitting HIV to others.
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I definitely agree that many behaviors will put one at risk for HIV infection, even actions one would not think would affect them in this way. I think that HIV can affect anyone so everyone should be wary of it and how they act not only sexually, but in other manners such as needles, etc. And wow! i didn’t know that so many people didn’t know that they were HIV positive and are living with it. We should definitely promote this campaign and get more people to get themsselves tested for HIV/AIDS!!!
While it’s true that drug “cocktails,” have resulted in fewer newly reported AIDS cases and deaths, this should not be construed to mean that drugs have lowered the rate of new infections with HIV. Drugs have reduced the number of new HIV cases progressing to full blown AIDS and death, but the number of new cases of HIV infection in the US have been growing!
Drugs can help prevent the disease from progressing to AIDS, but it’s no laughing matter to have to buy and take those drugs every day for the rest of your life, to deal with the side effects that come with the drugs, or to worry about how long they’ll keep working for you.
Best advice? Don’t get infected in the first place.
UPDATED ESTIMATED INCIDENT OF HIV INFECTIONS:
CDC estimated the HIV incidence among people age 13 years or older in 22 states in 2006. Based on the stratified extrapolation approach the incidence of HIV in the US for 2006 was 56,300 new infections, with a 95% confidence interval of 48,200 to 64,500.
The new national estimate of 56,300 does not reflect an increase in new HIV infections from previous years, but a more accurate direct measurement of incidence. Although these results are within the range of previous estimates, the back-calculation suggests that the previous CDC estimate of approximately 40,000 cases/year underestimated the severity of the epidemic.
Of the estimated 56,300 new HIV infections in the US in 2006, CDC estimated that more than one third (34%) were in those age 13-29 years, making this the age group with the highest proportion of new infections.
I can tell you that Fear of a positive result is a very strong factor why people do not get tested. I know everytime I get tested, regardless of the circumstances, I get really nervous and have to force myself to get the test.
I do it every so often, and it never gets easier. I don’t know what the answer is, as a positive result is always taken as a death sentence at first.
What a terrible disease.
yo man i do not no what hiv is but im so sorry dat u got it…may be u can start something to help others