@article {1064, title = {Lack of understanding of acute HIV infection among newly-infected persons-implications for prevention and public health: The NIMH Multisite Acute HIV Infection Study: II.}, journal = {AIDS and behavior}, volume = {13}, year = {2009}, month = {2009 Dec}, pages = {1046-53}, abstract = {Acute/early HIV infection is a period of high HIV transmission. Consequently, early detection of HIV infection and targeted HIV prevention could prevent a significant proportion of new transmissions. As part of an NIMH-funded multisite study, we used in-depth interviews to explore understandings of acute HIV infection (AHI) among 34 individuals diagnosed with acute/early HIV infection in six US cities. We found a marked lack of awareness of AHI-related acute retroviral symptoms and a lack of clarity about AHI testing methods. Most participants knew little about the meaning and/or consequences of AHI, particularly that it is a period of elevated infectiousness. Over time and after the acute stage of infection, many participants acquired understanding of AHI from varied sources, including the Internet, HIV-infected friends, and health clinic employees. There is a need to promote targeted education about AHI to reduce the rapid spread of HIV associated with acute/early infection within communities at risk for HIV.}, keywords = {Acute Disease, AIDS Serodiagnosis, Awareness, Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice, HIV Infections, HIV-1, Humans, Male, National Institute of Mental Health (U.S.), Questionnaires, Risk Factors, United States, Young Adult}, issn = {1573-3254}, doi = {10.1007/s10461-009-9581-7}, author = {Remien, Robert H and Higgins, Jenny A and Correale, Jackie and Bauermeister, Jose and Dubrow, Robert and Bradley, Mark and Steward, Wayne T and Seal, David W and Sikkema, Kathleen J and Kerndt, Peter R and Mayer, Kenneth H and Truong, Hong-Ha M and Casey, Corinna Young and Ehrhardt, Anke A and Morin, Stephen F} }