HIV Care Saves Lives
Viral Suppression is Key
November 2014
1.2 M
In 2011, more than 1.2 million people were living with HIV in the US.
4 in 10
Only 4 in 10 people living with HIV were in HIV medical care.
3 in 10
Only 3 in 10 people living with HIV achieved viral suppression.
Viral suppression is key for people living with HIV. Viral suppression means having very low levels of HIV in the body, even though the virus is still there. Achieving viral suppression by taking HIV medicines allows people living with HIV to have nearly normal lifespans and greatly reduces their chances of transmitting the virus. While we have made progress in HIV prevention and care, only 30% of all people living with HIV have achieved viral suppression. If they are in HIV medical care, however, 76% of people achieve viral suppression. Getting and keeping people in HIV medical care saves lives.
Doctors, nurses, and health care systems can:
- Test patients for HIV as a regular part of medical care.
- Counsel patients who do not have HIV on how to prevent it.
- Make sure people living with HIV are prescribed and take HIV medicines, stay in care and get supportive services such as nutrition, housing, or mental health services.
- Work with health departments to get and keep people in HIV medical care.
Not enough people living with HIV have achieved viral suppression.
Federal government is
- Investing in HIV prevention, HIV testing, and HIV medical care and support services.
- Expanding and integrating the use of public health and clinical data to get and keep people living with HIV in HIV medical care.
- Developing guidelines and supporting training for health care providers on HIV testing, care, treatment, and prevention.
- Expanding access to quality health care for people with HIV, and all Americans, through the Affordable Care Act.
Doctors, nurses, and health care systems can
- Test patients for HIV as a regular part of medical care.
- Counsel patients who do not have HIV on how to prevent it.
- Make sure people living with HIV are prescribed and take HIV medicines, stay in care and get supportive services such as nutrition, housing, or mental health services.
- Work with health departments to get and keep people in HIV medical care.
Health departments and communitybased organizations can
- Expand HIV testing services to get people into HIV medical care quickly once they are diagnosed.
- Expand the use of public health and clinical data to improve HIV medical care and increase the number of people who achieve viral suppression.
Everyone can
- Learn how to prevent HIV and take steps to protect themselves and their partners.
- Know their HIV status by getting tested.
- Get tested once a year or even more often if they are at high risk of getting HIV.
People living with HIV can
- Get into HIV medical care as soon as possible and stay in care.
- Take HIV medicines every day to achieve viral suppression, which helps them stay healthy, live longer, and reduce their risk of transmitting the virus to others.
- Vital Signs Issue details: HIV Diagnosis, Care, and Treatment Among Persons Living with HIV — United States, 2011, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR)
- Vital Signs – HIV Care Saves Lives [PODCAST – 1:15 minutes]
- Vital Signs – HIV Care Saves Lives [PSA – 0:60 seconds]
- CDC HIV/AIDS
- Act Against AIDS
- Get Tested or Text your zip code to KnowIt (566948) on your smart phone to locate an HIV testing site near you.
- CDC National Prevention Information Network (NPIN)
- CDC ATLAS
- CDC Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)
- CDC Global HIV/AIDS
- CDC Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Health
- Preventing Chronic Disease
On Other Web Sites
- MedlinePlus – Living with HIV/AIDS
- MedlinePlus – HIV/AIDS Medicines
- AIDS.gov
- AIDSInfo
- Effective Interventions
- The Body
- The Kaiser Family Foundation
- Medscape
- UNAIDS
- HealthCare.gov; Get Coverage, or Keep or Change Your Plan (English)
- CuidadoDeSalud.gov: Obtenga Cobertura, o Mantenga o Cambie Su Plan (Español)
- A Roadmap to Better Care and a Healthier You (English)
- Una Guía para Un Mejor Cuidado y Una Vida Más Saludable (Español)