Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1992. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS (HIV) INFECTIONS IN THE UNITED STATES
The Human Retroviruses. Gallo RC and Jay G, eds. San Diego, Academic Press, p. 193-211, 1991.. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE ICDB/92678728 Greenspan AL; Berkelman RL; Dondero TJ Jr; Curran JW; Div. of HIV/AIDS, Center for Infectious Diseases, CDC, Atlanta,; GA 30333
Abstract:
Since 1981, the natural history and modes of transmission of HIV have been illuminated by the availability of results from epidemiologic studies carried out in the United States and elsewhere. Ongoing analysis of reported United States AIDS cases since 1981 has yielded valuable information on the distribution of severe HIV-related illness and has demonstrated an enormous diversity in the HIV/AIDS epidemic by geographic area, age and sex, race and ethnicity, and behavioral patterns. HIV infection in the United States is reviewed under the following headings: AIDS case surveillance; surveillance of HIV infection; exposure categories (homosexual/bisexual men, iv drug users, persons infected through heterosexual contact, recipients of blood and blood products, health-care workers, children, adolescents, and other categories); natural history; mortality; impact on racial and ethnic minorities; and HIV-2 infection. HIV infection is notable in homosexual and bisexual men, iv drug users, heterosexual partners of persons at risk, and infants born to infected women. The risk of HIV transmission through blood and blood products has been largely eliminated. Transmission among homosexual men has been reduced greatly in some areas but remains a vital concern because of the high prevalence rates in this group and the difficulty in reaching adolescent and minority men with successful education and prevention programs. The linkage of iv drug use and HIV infection has the most alarming implications for the course of the epidemic; increased heterosexual and perinatal transmission associated with iv drug use means that many more women and children in poor, drug-ravaged neighborhoods are being infected with HIV. The extent of the problem calls for immediate attention to a comprehensive program of therapeutic, vaccine, and behavioral research and the application of therapeutic advances and counseling to all HIV-infected persons. Given the large number of Americans infected and the difficulty of interrupting transmission among iv drug users, their sex partners, and their children, it is clear that morbidity and mortality associated with HIV infection will not be easily or completely checked. (70 Refs)
Keywords: Adolescence Adult Aged Cause of Death Child Child, Preschool Female Human HIV Infections/*EPIDEMIOLOGY/MORTALITY/TRANSMISSION HIV Seroprevalence/*TRENDS Incidence Infant Male Middle Age Population Surveillance Risk Factors United States/EPIDEMIOLOGY MONOGRAPH REVIEW
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Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1992. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
