This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-20526380
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Highest-ever HIV diagnoses in gay men | Highest-ever HIV diagnoses in gay men |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| By James Gallagher Health and science reporter, BBC News | By James Gallagher Health and science reporter, BBC News |
| The number of gay and bisexual men being diagnosed with HIV in the UK reached an "all-time high" in 2011, according to the Health Protection Agency (HPA). | The number of gay and bisexual men being diagnosed with HIV in the UK reached an "all-time high" in 2011, according to the Health Protection Agency (HPA). |
| It said there had been a "worrying" trend since 2007, with more and more new cases each year. | It said there had been a "worrying" trend since 2007, with more and more new cases each year. |
| Nearly half of the 6,280 people diagnosed last year were men who had sex with other men. | Nearly half of the 6,280 people diagnosed last year were men who had sex with other men. |
| Overall, one in 20 such men are infected with HIV. | Overall, one in 20 such men are infected with HIV. |
| Of those diagnosed in 2011, nearly two-thirds had not been to a sexual health clinic in the previous three years. | Of those diagnosed in 2011, nearly two-thirds had not been to a sexual health clinic in the previous three years. |
| The HPA said the figures showed there was "room for improvement" in testing people in at-risk groups. | The HPA said the figures showed there was "room for improvement" in testing people in at-risk groups. |
| Dr Valerie Delpech, the organisation's head of HIV surveillance, told the BBC: "Obviously this is a serious illness and it is worrying that we're still seeing a lot in men who have sex with men and this is a record year. | Dr Valerie Delpech, the organisation's head of HIV surveillance, told the BBC: "Obviously this is a serious illness and it is worrying that we're still seeing a lot in men who have sex with men and this is a record year. |
| "Transmission in the UK is largely sexual, so safe sex is the best way to prevent yourself getting HIV." | "Transmission in the UK is largely sexual, so safe sex is the best way to prevent yourself getting HIV." |
| Rising | Rising |
| The total number of people living with HIV in the UK rose to 96,000, up from 91,500 the previous year. The issue is most intense in London. | The total number of people living with HIV in the UK rose to 96,000, up from 91,500 the previous year. The issue is most intense in London. |
| Due to advances in drug treatment, having HIV should not affect life-expectancy. However, the data suggests that one in four people with HIV are completely unaware of the infection, meaning they cannot receive treatment and may still be spreading the virus. | Due to advances in drug treatment, having HIV should not affect life-expectancy. However, the data suggests that one in four people with HIV are completely unaware of the infection, meaning they cannot receive treatment and may still be spreading the virus. |
| The chief executive of the National Aids Trust, Deborah Jack, said: "It is vitally important that gay men test at least once a year for STIs [sexually transmitted infections] and HIV, and every three months if they're having unprotected sex with new or casual partners. | The chief executive of the National Aids Trust, Deborah Jack, said: "It is vitally important that gay men test at least once a year for STIs [sexually transmitted infections] and HIV, and every three months if they're having unprotected sex with new or casual partners. |
| "HIV-negative gay men diagnosed with an STI should really treat it as a 'wake up call'. You are at serious risk of getting HIV in the near future and need to take steps to prevent that happening - such as consistent condom use and reduction in number of sexual partners." | "HIV-negative gay men diagnosed with an STI should really treat it as a 'wake up call'. You are at serious risk of getting HIV in the near future and need to take steps to prevent that happening - such as consistent condom use and reduction in number of sexual partners." |
| Sir Nick Partridge, the chief executive at the Terrence Higgins Trust, said: "HIV is an entirely preventable condition, yet each year we see thousands more people across the UK receive this life-changing diagnosis. | Sir Nick Partridge, the chief executive at the Terrence Higgins Trust, said: "HIV is an entirely preventable condition, yet each year we see thousands more people across the UK receive this life-changing diagnosis. |
| "Reducing undiagnosed HIV by encouraging those in high-risk groups to test more regularly is one way we can put the brakes on the spread of infection." | "Reducing undiagnosed HIV by encouraging those in high-risk groups to test more regularly is one way we can put the brakes on the spread of infection." |
| Are you affected by the issues raised in this story? Please fill in the form below if you are willing to be interviewed by the BBC. |