Positively Positive

This Medical News Today article discusses the misleading use of the term "high risk" in the context of HIV infection. The author observes that: "The pervasive message in the media states that HIV infections are highest among the 'high risk' groups of drug users and gay people. There is little reported about the steady, worldwide climb of the disease among those, who are not considered to be at 'high risk'." Though the article lists safe sex messages and condom promotion as effective strategies, it cites the fact that no one is immune from infection and that "one [sexual or injecting drug use] encounter with someone, who is HIV positive, can lead to infection."

The author points out that "UNAIDS [The United Nations Joint Programme on HIV/AIDS] and WHO [World Health Organization] estimate that approximately 33.2 million people are infected with HIV around the world. Unknown numbers of individuals are unaware that they are infected with HIV and unaware that they may infect others." Thus, he feels that people may not be correctly informed through the message that HIV infections occur in 'high risk' groups because this leaves many to believe that they have no concerns for safeguarding their own health. He concludes that "Anyone, who engages in sexual activity without a condom, risks infection. Educating the public about the real risks is a better HIV prevention strategy."