HIV Rates On The Rise In Idaho

The state of Idaho is reporting an alarming increase of HIV infection with a 23 percent increase from last year.The increased numbers are due mostly to a rise in cases in southeastern, which is reporting 19 new cases of HIV to date, with 11 being reported in the last three weeks.

So far 37 cases have been reported statewide including 13 cases among individuals less than 25 years old. One in four Idaho teenagers has a sexually transmitted disease, according to the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare.

“HIV infections appear to be on the rise in young people in Idaho,” Dr. Christine Hahn, state epidemiologist, said in a press release. “Some people are putting themselves at risk for a preventable infection which is lifelong and can cause serious illness and death.

Officials attribute the spike in infections to people having anonymous sex with strangers from the internet, drug users sharing needles and gay men having unprotected sex. Source Idaho department of Health.