Private MD News

HIV infects more young adults

Category: HIV

New cases of HIV are beginning to plateau in the U.S. However, experts are warning of a new disturbing trend. HIV testing has shown that the number of infections among younger adults is beginning to increase.

In fact, health officials in Monroe County, New York, one of the areas hit the hardest by the growing trend, told WXXI that 2010 has been a bad year for individuals under age 25 when it comes to new HIV infections.

In previous years, this demographic accounted for between 16 and 22 percent of new HIV cases. However, in 2010, they have accounted for nearly half.

"Honestly i don't know exactly why in the year 2010 we suddenly saw this change,” Andrew Doniger, public health director of the county, told the news source. “But whatever the cause is, we certainly need to address it. We’re very concerned about the possibility that this epidemic will suddenly become an epidemic of teenagers and young adults."

There are currently more than 1 million Americans infected with HIV, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The agency estimates that as much as 20 percent of these people are unaware of their condition.