Galveston County, Texas, Reporting More AIDS Cases, HIV Infections

Twenty-two new AIDS cases have been reported this year in Galveston County, Texas, drawing the attention of area health officials. Twenty-three cases were reported for all of last year. In addition, there have been 18 new HIV cases: if that rate continues over the course of the year, it would come to about 40 -- up from 28 cases reported in 2000 and 18 cases reported last year. Almost 450 Galveston County residents have died from AIDS since 1985, according to the Texas Department of Health.

"Some people don't think it's a problem here," said Jim Hilton, director of the Galveston County Health District STD/HIV program. "These numbers should raise a few eyebrows."

Four of last year's new HIV cases in Galveston County were women, reflecting a worldwide trend: 41 percent of the 30.6 million adults with HIV are women. "We're definitely seeing more and more women," said Maurisa Byerly, services director for the AIDS Coalition of Coastal Texas. "People think this is just something that affects gay men, but that's not the case."

Last year, six of the new HIV cases in Galveston County were reported in people in their 20s. Seven were ages 30 to 39 and three were ages 40 to 49. Two cases involved people over 50. "We get people who are old, who are young, who are black, Hispanic or white," said Hilton. "This isn't something that only affects certain people."

The average lifespan of someone infected with HIV is between 15 and 20 years with proper medical care, said Byerly. "Ten years ago, a person might live two or three years," she said. "But now, if you catch it early enough and you follow your treatments, you can lead a normal life. But the recent rise in cases in Galveston is alarming, nonetheless," Byerly said.

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