Public Radio for the Piedmont and High Country
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Guilford Among Top Counties For New HIV Infections

A close up of Gilead Sciences Inc.'s Truvada pill in a lab in a Foster City, Calif. Truvada was approved by the FDA in 2012 as a form of PrEP, a pre-exposure prophylaxis, used for preventing HIV. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma, File)

A new report shows that Guilford County ranks second among large urban counties in North Carolina for new HIV infections.

The data comes from the state Department of Health and Human Services and looks at a three-year average. 

The new cases are predominantly affecting African American men and those between the ages of 20 and 29. Overall though, the number of cases is coming down across the state.

Scott Trent is lead health educator with Triad Health Project, an HIV service organization in Greensboro.

He says we have the tools to end this epidemic.

“If a person gets effectively treated for an HIV infection, and they can get their viral load, the amount of virus that's in their body, down to a level that's undetectable, then that person is no longer infectious, and that stops the virus with them," he says. "That stops the epidemic with that person.”

Trent says one of the biggest breakthroughs is a preventative pill or pre-exposure prophylaxis, taken once a day. When used effectively, chances of becoming infected after exposure are less than 1 percent.

He adds that addressing disparities in health care access and the remaining stigma around HIV are also crucial. 

Bethany joined the staff of WFDD in the fall of 2012. She received her B.A. and M.A. in English Literature from Wake Forest University and focused on Anglo-Irish writing. Between undergraduate studies and graduate school, Bethany served as the intern to Talk of the Nation at NPR in D.C., participating in live NPR Election Night Coverage, Presidential debate broadcasts, regular Talk of the Nation shows, and helping to plan the inaugural broadcast of ‘Talk of the World.' She enjoys engaging with her interests in books, politics, and art in the interdisciplinary world of public radio. Before becoming Assistant News Director, Bethany was a reporter and Associate Producer for WFDD's Triad Arts and Triad Arts Weekend. Originally from Jacksonville, Florida, Bethany enjoys calling the Piedmont home.

Support quality journalism, like the story above,
with your gift right now.

Donate