New HIV Diagnoses Increase Slightly In CT

HARTFORD, CT — There was an increase of four percent more people newly dignosed with HIV in Connecticut in 2017 compared to 2016, but overall new diagnoses are trending downward compared to five years ago.

There are currently 10,560 people living in Connecticut who have been diagnosed with HIV with 281 new cases in 2017, according to the state Department of Public Health. Total new HIV diagnoses between 2013 and 2017 dropped 15 percent.

Among the new 2017 cases 49 percent were among men who have sex with men, 33 percent were heterosexuals and eight percent were among people who inject drugs. Among those diagnosed in 2017 40 percent were black, 30 percent white and 29 percent were Hispanic.

People between the ages of 20-29 encompassed 29 percent of cases followed by the 30-39 age bracket at 21 percent.

“We have come a long way in bringing HIV under control in CT, but we have more work to do," said DPH Commissioner Raul Pino "Prevention is the best tool against HIV. If you think you are at risk, condom use and prophylactic treatment (PrEP) are your best choices."

The CDC recommends that everyone aged 13-64 get tested annually for HIV at regular checkup visits and those at risk should be tested twice a year if not more often.

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