HIV infection in the United States household population aged 18-49 years: results from 1999-2006

Abstract

Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES). The prevalence of HIV infection among adults aged 18-49 years residing in households in the United States was 0.47% for the period 1999-2006. Men were more likely to be HIV positive than women. Race/ethnic disparities in HIV infection were also seen. Non-Hispanic blacks were more likely to be HIV positive than all other race/ethnic groups. Infection with HSV-2 was significantly associated with HIV infection among the total population aged 18-49 years and especially so among the non-His-panic black population. In 1999-2006, nearly one-quarter of HIV-positive individuals but only 1% of the HIV-negative individuals aged 18-49 years had low CD4 counts (a marker of decreased immune function). Approximately one-third of HIV-positive persons had healthy immune systems as compared with 90% among those HIV negative.