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HIV in the UK: facts and statisticsHIV is the fastest growing serious health condition in the UK. It's estimated that 70,000 people are living with HIV, a third of whom are undiagnosed. | ![]() |
The number of people newly diagnosed with HIV in the UK who contracted the virus through heterosexual sex, either in the UK or abroad, is increasing. In 1999 heterosexual sex overtook homosexual sex as the most common route of transmission among new HIV cases overall.
In 2006, heterosexual transmission accounted for 61% of those diagnosed in the UK. However, the overall risk of acquiring HIV through heterosexual sex in the UK remains relatively low. The majority of people diagnosed in the UK with HIV transmitted through heterosexual sex were actually exposed to the virus overseas, often in areas such as sub-Saharan Africa where it is more widespread.
In 2006, there were an estimated 36,400 people aged 15 to 59 living in the UK who had contracted HIV through heterosexual sex. Of those 21,658 were women, and 14,742 men.
Those infected with HIV through heterosexual sex account for:
Amongst people living with HIV who are heterosexual:
The number of people newly diagnosed with HIV from heterosexual sex in the UK rose from 156 in 1999 to 750 in 2006. Many of these were probably infected by partners exposed to the virus abroad.
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