2002 Reportable Communicable Disease Summary

HIV/AIDS is a communicable disease spread through unprotected sex and sharing injection drug equipment with an HIV-infected partner, and to a lesser extent, through blood transfusions and breast feeding. It is tracked to assist in designing public health interventions and to promote treatment options for those infected with HIV. AIDS represents a latter stage of HIV infection, indicated by either low CD4 (immune system) cell counts or the manifestation of an opportunistic infection indicative of poor immune system functioning. Although there is no cure for HIV or AIDS, there are effective drug treatments which can prolong and enhance the quality of life.


HIV infection can be prevented by abstaining from sex outside of a monogamous relationship with an uninfected partner and from not injecting recreational drugs. Those who are sexually active outside of a mutually monogamous relationship or who inject drugs can protect themselves by using a condom when engaging in sexual activity and by not sharing injection drug equipment. Pregnant women who are infected with HIV can minimize transmission of infection to their fetus by taking zidovudine during pregnancy.


From 1981 through 2002, 5,357 cases of AIDS were reported in Oregon, including 2,997 deaths. Men account for 4,960 cases, with 397 cases in women. Most cases have been white (4,650, 87%) with 279 (5%) African Americans, 328 (6%) Hispanics, 43 (<1%) Asians, and 56 (1%) Native Americans reported. Only 18 cases of pediatric AIDS were reported in Oregon. Of this total, 286 cases of AIDS were reported in 2002. In 2002, there were all 718 cases of HIV reported, including 1 pediatric case.