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Cause:
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) causes acquired
immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) due to depletion of CD4+
T-lymphocytes.
Illness and treatment:
Susceptibility is
increased for various opportunistic infections and
malignancies. Antiretroviral treatment has considerably
improved the prognosis for cases with HIV infection.
Sources and spread:
HIV is
usually transmitted by contact with the blood, semen or
vaginal secretions of an infected person.
Additional risks:
Groups at increased risk include injection drug users and
persons with multiple sexual partners or with another
sexually transmitted disease causing genital ulcers.
Prevention:
Use safe sexual practices,
avoid sharing drug paraphernalia, and screen blood and
tissue products to prevent transmission.
Recent Washington trends:
New HIV diagnoses
have been stable, with 540 to 610 new cases diagnosed every
year. Approximately 30% of cases are diagnosed late in the
course of infection, developing AIDS within 12 months of
their initial HIV diagnosis. Rates are higher among males
and racial/ethnic minorities, reflecting risk factors.
2008:
541 cases were reported
(8.2/100,000 population).
For a current report on HIV/AIDS statistics in Washington
State, see:
http://www.doh.wa.gov/cfh/HIV_AIDS/Prev_Edu/Statistics.htm
Purpose of Reporting and
Surveillance
- To assess trends in epidemic
patterns, understand the impact of the burden of disease on
populations and the health care infrastructure, and better
target population-level disease prevention efforts
- To assure the referral for
treatment of infected individuals in order to reduce
infectiousness and prevent Opportunistic Diseases
- To identify cases in a timely fashion in order to
interrupt the chain of infection through patient-level
interventions such as management of sexual contacts and
behavioral risk reduction counseling
Legal Reporting Requirements
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Health care
providers: AIDS and HIV infection notifiable to local
health jurisdiction within 3 working days
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Hospitals:
AIDS and HIV infection notifiable to local health
jurisdiction within 3 working days
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Laboratories:
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a. For
HIV, positive Western blot assays, p24 antigen or
viral culture tests are notifiable within 2 workdays
to Public Health-Seattle&King County (PHSKC) for
labs in King County and the Washington State
Department of Health (DOH) for labs outside of King
County. All results, whether they are positive or
not detectable, on HIV nucleic acid tests (RNA or
DNA) are notifiable on a monthly basis
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b. All
CD4+ absolute counts and percentage of total
lympocytes comprised by CD4+ lymphocytes are
notifiable on a monthly basis
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Local health
jurisdictions: notifiable to WA DOH within 7 calendar
days of case investigation
completion or summary information required within 21
calendar days of notification
Last
update
November 2009 |
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