Untested HIVers Account for Most Infections

HIV-positive Americans who are unaware they're infected may account for most of the nation's sexual HIV transmissions, according to a mathematic model developed by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention researchers. They calculate that the nation's estimated 275,000 undiagnosed HIVers, whom studies have shown are more than twice as likely to engage in risky sex than those who've been diagnosed, could be responsible for 54% to as much as 70% of all sexually transmitted infections. Even applying the lower percentage, the CDC researchers say those who are unaware they're infected have an HIV transmission rate that is three times that of diagnosed HIVers.