On average, 7-8 months elapse between AIDS diagnosis and reporting of the case to the Department of Health. These data describe asymptomatic HIV cases reported as a result of the new reporting requirement. In addition, symptomatic cases, which have been reportable since 1987, are included. It is important to understand both the strengths and limitations of this information. The reporting system gathers data at whatever point in the infection the person chooses to get tested, rather than the time of infection.
Data represent infections from weeks to years old.
Are not representative of all HIV-infected individuals. The universe of HIV-infected individuals is made up of a number of different groups, and information is available for some groups through the reporting system and not for others. There are people who know their HIV status because they tested anonymously, in another state, or with a home test kit, and their information is not included in the reported statistics. Finally, there are those who have never been tested and are HIV-infected but do not know their status. Additionally, there are many factors that influence testing and reporting patterns, such as access to medical care and the extent to which specific groups are targeted for testing.