"We are still dealing with this perception that HIV/AIDS is not a problem in America — is it just a problem overseas," he added. "Some people call it AIDS complacency. I think it is an issue among all people, not just people of high risk. We are still very concerned about the estimated 280,000 people in America who are infected with HIV and don't know it."
An estimated 850,000 to 950,000 people in the United States are infected with HIV and 36 million worldwide.
Protective Measures Must Be Stressed
Valdiserri urged doctors who treat HIV patients to remind them about ways to avoid transmitting it to others — which include safer sex and letting sexual partners know they are infected.
He said the CDC had investigated a number of outbreaks of syphilis among gay and bisexual men that showed between 43 percent and 59 percent of those turning up with syphilis — which, like HIV, is transmitted by oral, anal and vaginal sex — knew they were HIV-positive.
That suggests the men were having unprotected sex despite knowing they could pass on the virus.
"HIV-infected people need support so they don't transmit the infection to others," Valdiserri said.
http://abcnews.go.com/sections/living/US/AIDS_US030211.html