July 2, 2015 headline re HIV Infections

[maninsoma]

I was alarmed but also immediately doubtful when I saw the July 2nd headline here that states that 1 in 8 Americans has HIV. Clicking through to read the article which begins with the statistic that just over one million Americans is living with HIV, I thought I had misread the headline. Turns out that the original article's headline indicates that 1 in 8 of infected Americans doesn't know he/she is infected with HIV. Going back to this website, I see that that headline was, in fact, erroneously shortened to indicate that 1 in 8 Americans is infected with HIV.

[jakeleyman]

From my totally unscientific survey, I'd venture to say that safe sex is on the wane in this country. For example, in my obscure state with a low gay population, I approach lots of guys on social media who state they are negative and I have started casually asking if they bb. I'd say 75-90 percent say that they enjoy bb and that either they do it regularly or they do it under certain circumstances (which does not include mutal testing). Even with the new meds and preventative programs, it is alarming to me.

[doitb4ugo]

Testing is still the key to this statistic. From the point where I was infected to time when I was diagnosed was about 18 months. Being what appeared to be a straight guy in the burbs with wife and children, the medical community did not test me for all despite many visits to my doctor during that time and I had not an inkling that I was infected. Despite a good number of severe symptoms and several trips to the emergency, the diagnosis was that I had some low level viral infection or the beginnings of cancer. At the point where I could barely function due to exhaustion and had lost 65 pounds in a short period, I went on my own to Boston to get an test at a clinic. My thoughts were that I would rule out HIV as the cause. Not the case. During that 18 month period I only had unsafe sex with one guy - thank goodness.

[Steven_Draker]

Headlines: Over 1 in 8 Americans Living with HIV Don't Realize It

 

But what about gay and bisexual men?

The CDC says that 1 in 5 infected don't know they live with HIV.

 

http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/images/web/library_infographics_ngmhaad_930x2822.jpg