New HIV Infection

People Under 29 Represent Majority of New HIV Infection
Young People Reminded to Get Tested

November 16, 2006

December 1 will be proclaimed AIDS Awareness Day by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors at its Nov. 20 meeting in recognition of World AIDS Day. The Fairfax County Health Department urges county residents to get tested for the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), the virus that causes AIDS. An estimated 25 percent of people with HIV in the United States do not know they are infected. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now recommends that HIV testing become a routine part of medical care for all people age 13 to 64, regardless of risk.

H IV and AIDS affect all age, race and gender brackets. However, teenagers and young adults continue to represent a significant proportion of those infected. In Virginia, more than one-third of all people who live with HIV/AIDS are age 13-29 (6,024 out of 17,823), according to the Virginia Department of Health (VDH).

“Because this age group tends to be healthy and typically do not seek health care, we strongly encourage our youth and young adults to get tested so they know their HIV status and can benefit from early treatment if positive,” said Gloria Addo-Ayensu, M.D., M.P.H., health director.

HIV attacks the body’s immune system. Although there is no cure, current medications can help many people infected with HIV live longer and healthier lives. The virus is spread by sexual contact or by sharing needles and/or syringes with someone who is infected, or less commonly (and now very rarely in countries where blood is screened), through transfusions of infected blood products. Babies born to HIV-infected women may become infected before or during birth or through breast-feeding after birth.

The Health Department offers free HIV testing and prevention education at its five district offices throughout Fairfax County. In addition, groups and organizations can arrange for educational presentations and workshops from the Health Department’s HIV Unit. For more information, call 703-246-2411, TTY 703-591-6435.