Heterosexuals

The number of people newly diagnosed with HIV in the UK who contracted the virus through heterosexual sex, either in the UK or abroad, has levelled off in recent years. In 1999 heterosexual sex overtook homosexual sex as the most common route of transmission among new HIV cases overall.

In 2008, heterosexual transmission accounted for 58% of those diagnosed in the UK. 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. However, the number of people probably infected through heterosexual sex in the UK has gradually risen in recent years.

Statistics

In 2008, 27% of all new heterosexual HIV diagnoses were probably acquired in the UK.

Those infected with HIV through heterosexual sex account for:

• the highest proportion of newly diagnosed HIV cases in each year since 1999
• 58% of new HIV cases in 2008, up from 37% in 1997
• 50% of the total number of people needing HIV care, which is more than any other group (MSM now account for 42%)

Amongst those diagnosed with heterosexually acquired HIV:

• around two thirds are Black African
• many women are diagnosed by routine testing during pregancy
• In 2008, 36% of heterosexual women and 44% of heterosexual men were diagnosed late.

The number of people newly diagnosed with HIV and probably infected through heterosexual sex in the UK rose from 1,000 in 2007 to 1,130 in 2008. Many of these were probably infected by partners exposed to the virus abroad, showing the ongoing impact of the global HIV epidemic on the UK.