"US: 41 Percent Diagnosed with HIV at First Test"
United Press International (06.27.12)

Researchers from CDC analyzed data on persons age 13 and older newly diagnosed with HIV from 2006 to 2009 in 18 jurisdictions taking part in an HIV incidence surveillance system. Among participants for whom previous testing history was available, 41 percent were diagnosed with the virus at their first HIV test.

Fifty-nine percent of those found to be infected had previously tested HIV-negative at some time. The groups with the greatest proportions of persons testing HIV-negative less than 12 months before learning they were HIV-positive included those ages 13-29 (33 percent), males whose infection was attributed to sex with males (29 percent), and whites (28 percent).

“Enhanced efforts are needed to increase annual HIV testing for populations at high risk for HIV infection to increase early detection,” CDC said.

[PNU editor’s note: The study, “Previous HIV Testing Among Adults and Adolescents Newly Diagnosed with HIV Infection - National HIV Surveillance System, 18 Jurisdictions, United States, 2006-2009,” was published in CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (2012;61(24):441-445.]