"New Definition to Raise AIDS Numbers"

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1992. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

"New Definition to Raise AIDS Numbers"

Washington Post (12/29/92), P. A8

Abstract: The Centers for Disease Control's new definition of AIDS will take effect on Friday, January 1, and will cause thousands more HIV-positive Americans to be considered to have the disease. Activists and physicians are expecting a higher demand for treatment and social services as more of those infected are included in the definition. During 1993, a total of 90,000 Americans are expected to be diagnosed with the disease, according to the CDC. With the current definition about 50,000 Americans are diagnosed annually with the disease. Approximately 242,000 Americans have been diagnosed with AIDS and 160,000 have died. Following intense protests by activists, who charged that the CDC has been ignoring AIDS symptoms experienced only in women and IV-drug users, the agency adopted the new definition. The current definition considers one to have AIDS if he or she experiences one of 23 AIDS-related illnesses. Included in the new definition are pulmonary tuberculosis, recurrent pneumonia, and invasive cervical cancer, which are more common among women and IV-drug users. The CDC says what is more important is the fourth new indicator: a decline in the level of the body's CD4 cells to 200 per cubic millimeter. James Buehler, acting deputy director of the CDC's AIDS division, said that while about 1 million Americans are HIV-positive and as many as 190,000 are estimated to have CD4 counts below 200, most are unaware that they have HIV or have never had a CD4 test, he said. The first reports using the new definition will be released at the end of January, "but to really see the effects of this definition we're going to need to experience it throughout 1993," said Buehler. Related Story: Philadelphia Inquirer (12/29) P. B6

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