The number of people with HIV in the UK is rising, with many unaware that they have the virus, according to the latest report.

Figures from the Health Protection Agency revealed that 53,000 adults are HIV positive, of which 27 per cent – as many as 14,300 people – do not know they have the infection.
There were 6,606 new HIV infections diagnosed last year, a figure that could increase to 7,000 once all the data are collected.  Of those, 58 per cent were among heterosexuals, and 2,465 were women. Gay and bisexual men accounted for 26 per cent of patients.

In comparison, there were 6,017 new diagnoses in 2002 and 2,835 in 1998.  Each infection is estimated to cost between £500,000 and £1 million in lost productivity and treatment.
Author of the report, Dr Kevin Fenton, said the increase was “the result of a combination of factors”, “but it is largely contributed to by the migration of people from areas of the world where there is a high prevalence of HIV, such as sub-Saharan Africa”.

The figures were published days before World Aids Day, which was marked by a new survey for Marie Stopes International revealing ignorance about the condition.
Of those questioned for the NOP poll, a fifth agreed with the statement, “it is people’s own fault if they get HIV/Aids”, while 23 per cent said drug users who contracted the virus through infected needles should be denied treatment on the NHS, and 26 per cent agreed that people should have the right to know who in their community were HIV positive.
One in 10 of those questioned thought HIV can be caught by kissing, while five per cent thought eating with the same cutlery as a person with the virus posed a risk.  A further four per cent believed they could get it from a toilet seat.
“The reality is that HIV/Aids should be an issue of concern to us all, especially young people,” said Ros Davies of Interact Worldwide. “The latest figures from the World Health Organisation and UNAIDS show that HIV infection is now the fastest growing serious health condition in the UK and many other countries across the globe, where women are particularly at risk of becoming HIV positive.

“It’s clearly no longer the ‘minority’ disease it once was.”
Patricia Hindmarsh from Marie Stopes International called on the government to fund a campaign tackling both public awareness and the stigma surrounding HIV and Aids.

“A high proportion of respondents – 60 per cent – agreed that they would have more sympathy for a person who contracts HIV/Aids through a blood transfusion than from having promiscuous sex,” she said.
“This is particularly shocking as it shows that people are making judgements and assigning ‘blameworthiness’ in their response to the disease.  Aids doesn’t discriminate – people do.”

“The last significant national public campaign was in the mid-80s and two generations of young people have become sexually active since then,” she added. “This should be seen as a major priority.”
The government has launched a £300 million sexual health campaign.  Clinics will receive £130 million to modernise, while £40 million will be allocated towards upgrading prevention services such as contraception services.
A further £50 million will be spent on an advertising campaign aimed at under-25s. 
Latest figures have shown a nine per cent increase in cases of Chlamydia, a two per cent increase in patients with genital warts and a 28 per cent increase in the number of syphilis cases. 

Opposition parties argued that the statistics revealed a failure by the government to tackle the problem.
“These alarming figures are indicative of a Labour government that has failed to make sexual health a priority and deliver effective services,” said shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley.

Liberal Democrat health spokesman Paul Burstow said sexual health was one of the “most neglected” areas of the NHS.
“Ministers have dithered and delayed for too long on sexual health,” he argued.  “Sex infections are rocketing, and finally the government is waking up to this problem.”
Ministers are aiming to reduce the waiting list at GUM clinics, to ensure that patients are seen within 48 hours or less by 2008.

“Prevention messages are not getting through,” said health secretary John Reid.
“We need to act now on sexual health – and make it a priority.  We will run an advertising campaign which tells people, especially young people, of the consequences of irresponsible sexual behaviour and of sexually transmitted diseases.”
Lisa Powers of the Terrance Higgins Trust welcomed the increase in funding, but warned that it would only work if it reached GUM clinics.

“The government promised money for clinics last year and primary care trusts helped themselves to quite large chunks of the money,” she said.
Family Planning Association chief executive Anne Weyman warned the government against using “scare tactics” in their campaign.

”It’s tremendous that the government has finally decided to support a national advertising campaign around STIs to shatter the stigma and complacency that surrounds this serious public health issue,” she said.
”It’s vital that it seeks to inform people rather than use scare tactics, so they feel confident enough to come forward for advice and treatment.”

See also page 50:
Neil Gerrard MP’s Aids update