p HIV is not on the rise. According to the most recent CDC estimates, the number ol HIV positive Americans has not increased once since the HIV test was introduced into general use in 1985.

p In 1986, the CDC began promoting the estimate that 1 million to 1.5 million Americans were HIV positive.^^33^^ Media and AIDS organizations employed this figure to make the disturbing claim that one in every 250 people in the nation was inlected with HIV Four years later, official estimates were lowered to between 800,000 and 1.2 million, and in 1995, following an investigation by NBC Nightly News, the CDC again decreased their official estimate to between 650,000 and 900,000, a figure still promoted today^^33^^ ^^34^^

p While the number of HIV positives has failed to grow, it is important to note that rates of venereal diseases such as chlamydia, genital herpes, gonorrhea and syphilis have increased throughout most of the AIDS epidemic and far surpass cases of AIDS. These numbers contradict the idea that “safe sex" has prevented HIV from spreading.

HIV in Perspective: Sexually Transmitted Diseases vs. AIDS^^35^^ 7987 to 7998 USA 15 13.6 million 12 0—— Gonorrhea Genital Chlamydia Syphilis AIDS Herpes