Who's At Risk
More than 950,000 Americans may be infected with HIV, and one fourth of them may not know they are infected. Anyone can become infected, but in the US, blacks and Hispanics are affected 7 and 3 times more often, respectively, than whites.
Other risk factors for acquiring HIV infection are:
- Having unprotected sex with multiple partners
- Having unprotected sex with someone who is HIV positive or whose infection status is unknown
- Having another sexually transmitted disease, such as syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, herpes, or bacterial vaginosis
- Having hemophilia and receiving blood products between 1977 and April 1985
- Receiving a blood transfusion before 1985
- Sharing drug needles or syringes
- Being born to or breast-fed by an untreated, infected woman
Approximately half of individuals newly infected with HIV will have primary HIV infection syndrome, so see your doctor promptly if you suspect you have signs of this condition.
Overview
