No 48 - 2020

HIV 2019

• In 2019, a total of 143 persons were notified with newly diagnosed HIV, along with 47 persons who had already been diagnosed abroad.

• Among the newly diagnosed persons, 96 were either Danes who had become infected in Den-mark or abroad, or immigrants infected after their arrival to Denmark. The remaining 47 were immigrants who had become infected before their arrival to Denmark. These 47 persons could not have been reached with Danish HIV-preventive measures.

• Among the newly diagnosed persons, 76 were men who have sex with men (MSM), 65 were infected heterosexually (HTX) and two were people who inject drugs.

• 63% of the MSM and 34% of the HTX had become infected in Denmark.

• Among the newly diagnosed MSM, 28% were immigrants. The corresponding share for HTX was 55%.

• Among MSM, 45% were tested late. The same applied to 62% of the HTX.

• All MSM who have not been diagnosed with HIV should be HIV tested annually. Furthermore, MSM who lead an active sex life and who do not consistently use a condom should be tested for HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases more frequently, e.g. every 3 months.

• Initiation of treatment immediately after the diagnosis means that people who are known HIV positives do not pose a risk for further HIV transmission as well-treated HIV positives are not infectious.

• Prevention of HIV infection includes use of condoms, TasP (Treatment As Prevention, i.e. that you only have unprotected sex with people who are known to be HIV positives provided they are in effective treatment), PrEP (Pre Exposure Prophylaxis, HIV medication taken before exposure) and PEP (Post Exposure Prophylaxis, HIV medication taken shortly after exposure).

For a detailed epidemiological description of the 2019 incidence, please see the 2019 annual HIV report.

(A.K. Hvass, S. Cowan, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Prevention)