Study: 19% Of Gay/Bisexual Men Are HIV+

According to a study released Thursday  by the CDC, as many as 1 in 5 gay or bisexual males in urban areas are HIV positive.  The study, involving 8,153 men in 21 major U.S. cities, highlights that the fear of AIDS has waned in recent years.  The urgency of regular HIV testing seemed to especially be lacking with younger males.  The study found that 63% of infected men between the ages of 18 and 29 had no idea they were infected, compared to only 37% of those over 30.

HIV infection was more prevalent in black men than white or Hispanic men, with a 28% infected rate.  The CDC also found that blacks were less likely to know of their HIV positive status.  Only 41% of black men in the poll were aware that they were infected.

"This alarming new data provides further evidence that prevention efforts for gay men have not been adequate to meet the growing epidemic and should be dramatically scaled up," said Carl Schmid of the nonprofit AIDS Institute.

"The severity of the impact of HIV in the gay community is nothing new. What has been missing is an appropriate response by our government, at the federal, state and local levels, and the gay community itself."

The CDC recommends getting an HIV test every year.  For gay and bisexual men that have multiple partners, they suggest testing every 3 to 6 months.

On a personal note:  It's frightening to think that HIV is so widespread in the gay community in 2010.  Scarier still is the thought that more than half of those infected don't know it.  I personally had my last test about five months ago.  I've been in a monogamous relationship for the last five years.  It really gives me something to think about though if and when I start looking for another male partner.