Key Points

• According to an HIV Surveillance Report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), of the nearly 1.1 million people living with diagnosed HIV in the United States and dependent areas in 2021, about 41% (441,614) were aged 55 and older.
• Many HIV risk factors are the same for people of any age, but older people are less likely to get tested for HIV.
• Treatment

Key Points

• Perinatal transmission: HIV can pass from a mother with HIV to their child during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding, called perinatal transmission of HIV. In the United States, this is the most common way children under 13 years of age get HIV.

Key Points

• According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2021, 18% of the new HIV diagnoses in the United States and dependent areas were among women.
• The most common way that women get HIV is through sex with a male partner who has HIV.

Key Points

• In the United States, gay and bisexual men are the population group most affected by HIV.
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all sexually active gay and bisexual men get tested for HIV at least once a year.

Treatment with HIV medicines is called antiretroviral therapy (ART). ART is recommended for everyone with HIV, and people with HIV should start ART as soon as possible. People on ART take a combination of HIV medicines (called an HIV treatment regimen) every day or by schedule (injections).

Key Points

• Medication adherence is essential to make sure HIV treatment is as effective as possible.
• Before starting an HIV treatment regimen, tell your health care provider if there are any reasons that could make it hard for you to follow a treatment regimen.

Key Points

• Although an HIV diagnosis might seem overwhelming, it is important to remember that HIV can be treated effectively with HIV medicines, allowing people with HIV to live long, healthy lives.
• The first step after testing positive for HIV is to see a health care provider, even if you do not feel sick.

Key Points

• Treatment with HIV medicines is recommended for everyone with HIV.

Key Points

• Vaccines protect people from diseases, such as chicken pox, influenza (flu), and polio. Vaccines are given by needle injection (a shot), by mouth, or nasal spray.

Key Points

• People with HIV take a combination of HIV medicines to form a complete HIV treatment regimen).
• The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved more than 50 HIV medicines to treat HIV infection.
• People with HIV should discuss HIV treatment options with their health care provider to suit their individual needs, including