World Aids Days

Today is the world Aids Day! I want all of you that are sexually active to go get tested. Not just on the December 1st, but every 3 months. Its important that everyone knows their status no matter what "lifestyle" you live you need to know your status.

More than 1.1 million people in the United States are living with HIV infection, and almost 1 in 5 (18.1%) are unaware of their infection. Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men, particularly young black/African American, are most seriously affected by HIV. By race, blacks/African Americans face the most severe burden of HIV. 

HIV Diagnoses (new diagnoses, regardless of when infection occurred): In 2011, an estimated 49,273 people were diagnosed with HIV infection in the United States. In that same year, an estimated 32,052 people were diagnosed with AIDS. Since the epidemic began, an estimated 1,155,792 people in the United States have been diagnosed with AIDS.

Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men of all races and ethnicities remain the population most profoundly affected by HIV. In 2010, the estimated number of new HIV infections among was 29,800, a significant 12% increase from the 26,700 new infections among in 2008. Although  represent about 4% of the male population in the United States, in 2010, accounted for 78% of new HIV infections among males and 63% of all new infections. Accounted for 52% of all people living with HIV infection in 2009, the most recent year these data are available.

In 2010, white continued to account for the largest number of new HIV infections (11,200), by transmission category, followed closely by black (10,600). The estimated number of new HIV infections was greatest among in the youngest age group. In 2010, the greatest number of new HIV infections (4,800) among occurred in young black/African American aged 13–24. Young black accounted for 45% of new HIV infections among black and 55% of new HIV infections among young overall. Since the epidemic began, an estimated 302,148 with an AIDS diagnosis have died, including an estimated 5,909 in 2010.

Heterosexuals and Injection Drug Users also continue to be affected by HIV. Heterosexuals accounted for 25% of estimated new HIV infections in 2010 and 27% of people living with HIV infection in 2009. Since the epidemic began, almost 85,000 persons with an AIDS diagnosis, infected through heterosexual sex, have died, included an estimated 4,003 in 2010. New HIV infections among women are primarily attributed to heterosexual contact (84% in 2010) or injection drug use (16% in 2010). Women accounted for 20% of estimated new HIV infections in 2010 and 24% of those living with HIV infection in 2009. The 9,500 new infections among women in 2010 reflect a significant 21% decrease from the 12,000 new infections that occurred among this group in 2008. Injection drug users represented 8% of new HIV infections in 2010 and 16% of those living with HIV in 2009. Since the epidemic began, nearly 182,000 injection drug users with an AIDS diagnosis have died, including an estimated 4,218 in 2010. 

Now, its your turn to do research and get tested for your self, This time I need you to go get tested. Stay safe and wear a condom every time.