HIV/AIDS DIAGNOSES

HIV/AIDS DIAGNOSES

At the end of 2003, an estimated 1,039,000 to 1,185,000 persons in the United States were living with HIV/AIDS [1].* In 2005, 37,331 cases of HIV/AIDS in adults, adolescents, and children were diagnosed in the 33 states with long-term, confidential name-based HIV reporting [2]. CDC has estimated that approximately 40,000 persons in the United States become infected with HIV each year [3].

By Transmission Category

In 2005, the largest estimated proportion of HIV/AIDS diagnoses were for men who have sex with men (MSM), followed by adults and adolescents infected through heterosexual contact.

Transmission categories of adults and adolescents
with HIV/AIDS diagnosed during 2005

Transmission categories of adults and adolescents with HIV/AIDS diagnosed during 2005

Note. Based on data from 33 states with long-term, confidential name-based HIV reporting.

*The term HIV/AIDS refers to 3 categories of diagnoses collectively: (1) a diagnosis of HIV infection (not AIDS), (2) a diagnosis of HIV infection with a later diagnosis of AIDS, and (3) concurrent diagnoses of HIV infection and AIDS.

By Sex

In 2005, almost three quarters of HIV/AIDS diagnoses were for male adolescents and adults.

Sex of adults and adolescents with HIV/AIDS
diagnosed during 2005

Sex of adults and adolescents with HIV/AIDS diagnosed during 2005

Note. Based on data from 33 states with long-term, confidential name-based HIV reporting.

By Race/Ethnicity

In 2005, blacks (including African Americans), who make up approximately 13% of the US population, accounted for almost half of the estimated number of HIV/AIDS cases diagnosed.

Race/ethnicity of persons (including children) with
HIV/AIDS diagnosed during 2005

Race/ethnicity of persons (including children) with HIV/AIDS diagnosed during 2005

Note. Based on data from 33 states with long-term, confidential name-based HIV reporting.
TRENDS IN AIDS DIAGNOSES AND DEATHS

During the mid-to-late 1990s, advances in treatment slowed the progression of HIV infection to AIDS and led to dramatic decreases in deaths among persons with AIDS. The number of deaths of persons with AIDS fluctuated from 2001 through 2005, but the number of AIDS cases diagnosed during that same period increased [2]. The reasons for the increase in the number of AIDS diagnoses are unclear but may be due to increased emphasis on testing; the fact that more people are living with HIV and thus are experiencing the development of AIDS; and technical issues in the statistical process used in estimating the number of AIDS diagnoses.

Better treatments have also led to an increase in the number of persons in the 50 states and the District of Columbia (D.C.) who are living with AIDS. From 2001 through 2005, the estimated number of persons in the 50 states and D.C. living with AIDS increased from 331,482 to 421,873—an increase of 27% [2].

Estimated numbers of AIDS diagnoses, deaths, and persons living with AIDS, 2001–2005
spacer 2001 spacer 2002 spacer 2003 spacer 2004 spacer 2005 spacer Cumulative
(1981-2005)
AIDS diagnoses spacer 38,079 spacer 38,408 spacer 39,666 spacer 39,524 spacer 40,608 spacer 952,629
spacer
Deaths of persons with AIDS spacer 16,980 spacer 16,641 spacer 17,404 spacer 17,453 spacer 16,316 spacer 530,756
spacer
Persons living with AIDS spacer 331,482 spacer 353,249 spacer 375,511 spacer 397,582 spacer 421,873 spacer NA