HIV Infection in the United States Household Population Aged 18–49 Years: Results from 1999–2006

Measurement of HIV prevalence in a nationally representative sample of the United States population
provides an understanding of the background level of infection in the general household
population aged 18–49 years as well as in demographic subgroups. This information can also be
used to monitor trends in infection in the household population over time. Other public health
surveillance systems address the impact of HIV infection among high risk groups including the
homeless and prisoners that are not included in surveys of the general household population
(1,2). The combination of information from these surveillance systems with estimates from
surveys of the general household population provides a more complete picture of the HIV/AIDS
epidemic in the United States.
Herpes simplex-virus type 2 (HSV-2) infection is associated with HIV infection; some studies
have shown that HSV-2 infection doubles the risk of HIV acquisition (3–5). Estimates of the
prevalence of both HSV-2 and HIV infection can provide further understanding of the risk of
HIV infection in higher risk subgroups of the general household population.
CD4 counts (also known as T-helper cells) provide a measure of a person’s immune function.
Among HIV-infected individuals, measurement of CD4 counts is often used to demonstrate how
well anti-HIV drugs are working. Estimates of this measure in the general population can provide
a picture of health among HIV-infected individuals.