HIV cases double in past decade

The number of people infected with HIV has almost doubled over the past ten years, new figures show.

In 2001, some 1,950 people were infected with HIV compared with 3,780 in 2010, according to the UK Health Protection Agency.

All the newly diagnosed cases acquired the infection in the UK.

Men who have sex with men are most risk at risk of being infected, with the number of new cases in this group increasing from 1,810 in 2001 to 3,080 in 2010, an increase of 70 per cent. Black Africans are also at high risk.

The National Institute of Clinical Excellence has issued new guidance which recommends increased HIV testing of people in the high risk groups.

On average, three out of five people who die from HIV infection are diagnosed late, the HPA said.

Dr Valerie Delpech, head of HIV surveillance at the HPA said: “HIV is an extremely serious infection.

"There are excellent treatment options available nowadays but these are only at their most effective if the infection is diagnosed early, before symptoms appear.

"Testing for the infection must be increased in order to catch the infection as early as possible.

“The impact of late diagnosis is clearly demonstrated when you look at deaths among people with HIV - three out of five of HIV positive individuals that die are diagnosed too late to gain the most health benefits from their treatment, like increased life expectancy."

This article was published on Wed 23 March 2011