A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) report says that, among gay and bisexual men in the United States who have been diagnosed with HIV, only half are receiving care and treatment for their infection, according to a White House press release.
Overall, among MSM ( men who have sex with men ) diagnosed with HIV, three-quarters ( 77.5 percent ) were linked to care within three months of diagnosis, but only half ( 50.9 percent ) were retained in care. In large part because many were not in care, fewer than half of MSM diagnosed with HIV ( 49.5 percent ) were prescribed antiretroviral therapy and only 42 percent achieved viral suppression.
Revised in March 2012, U.S. clinical guidelines now recommend that everyone with HIV begin therapy upon diagnosis, regardless of their CD4 immune cell count or viral load. Authors note that although the data presented in today's analysis were collected before that revision, they do underscore critical gaps at every stage of care for gay and bisexual men diagnosed with HIVparticularly when it comes to keeping them engaged in medical care.
See press release on the topic at the link: www.windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/CDC-Half-gay-bi-men-diagnosed-with-HIV-get-treatment-/49113.html .