New HIV diagnoses and infections continue to fall to record lows in New York City
The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene told the Daily News that 2,157 people were newly diagnosed with HIV in 2017, down 5.4% from the 2,279 diagnosed in 2016, which was a record low that year…. Among those with HIV in the city, 93% know they have the virus, which means they can get treatment that can suppress their viral load. In 2017, 85% of New Yorkers with HIV were virally suppressed, up from 79% in 2013.
Studies have shown patients taking anti-retroviral medicines and who maintain an undetectable viral load for six months do not sexually transmit HIV. “By getting people on meds, they don’t transmit HIV,” [Dr. Demetre Daskalakis] said. “This idea that the undetectable virus is untransmittable, that’s true. We believe that, and I think the world is believing that now too.””
