AIDSWEEKLY Plus; Monday, June 23, 2003
Staff Medical Writers

HIV infections diagnosed in public health clinics rose 40% last year and are projected to increase by another 60% this year, "the most dramatic increase since the beginning of the epidemic" more than 20 years ago, said Dr. Robert Wood, director of AIDS control for the Seattle-King County Health Department.

The agency's clinics reported 94 new HIV infections in gay men tested last year, and testing through April indicates there could be more than 150 cases by the end of this year.

"The new information is frightening. It's astounding," Wood said.

Health officials based their analysis on reports from public clinics, where patients generally have high infection risks. Increases in private clinics likely are lower, Wood said.

Officials estimate there are 400-500 new HIV infections in the county each year, including those found at private clinics.

Lacking a count from private clinics, however, the overall increase in HIV infections remains unknown.

Last year there was an increase of about 11% in the number of gay men tested for HIV in public clinics, which Wood said was encouraging but could not account for the increase in infections.

He estimated about 8400 county residents are HIV-positive, including about 3000 with full-blown AIDS, compared to 7500 individuals with HIV 2 years ago.

Gay and bisexual men account for about 85% of the AIDS cases in the state's most populous county.

As in other large cities, reduced fear of AIDS because of new medications and burnout on safe-sex messages have resulted in riskier sexual behavior, health officials said.

Health officials and AIDS-oriented community groups are urging gay men to be tested for the virus, disclose their status to sexual partners and practice safe sex.

"We need to take HIV out of the closet. It's the responsibility of all guys who are sexually active to be talking about it - and don't be afraid to talk about it if you have it," said Jack Johnston, program coordinator for Positive Power, a group that helps HIV-positive men.

Cuts in funding for AIDS prevention programs have also taken a toll, said David Richart, director of education and prevention for Lifelong AIDS Alliance.

The organization plans to begin a public education campaign with bus placards and outreach through the Internet in July.

To encourage testing, the county agency began a pilot project offering a new HIV blood test that gives results in about 20 minutes, instead of the week required for a conventional test.

Volunteers are recruited along Broadway on Capitol Hill for the test, called OraQuick, in a nearby private office with an "incentive" of $10. Counseling is provided before and after results are known.

The test is quite accurate but remains subject to confirmation by a conventional test, Wood said.

Wood, who has battled AIDS for years but is relatively healthy now, said that if the project is successful in the next year, health officials hope to expand it to gay bathhouses and sex clubs.

"One of the most important things you can do in HIV prevention is make sure people know if they are positive or negative," he said. "Studies have shown that people make major changes in behavior when they learn their status."

This article was prepared by AIDS Weekly editors from staff and other reports.

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