On The Streets HIV/AIDS Rise Is No Surprise

WASHINGTON, DC (WUSA) -- On some DC streets, it came as no surprise Monday that DC's new HIV and AIDS numbers are higher than in West Africa.

Outside a methadone clinic at North Capitol and New York Avenue, everybody knows somebody with the disease.

One woman told 9NEWS NOW her boyfriend tested positive, but remained in denial and refused to get treatment. She now gets tested periodically and feels she could come up positive at any time. She's not afraid because some of her friends have lived for years with the HIV virus or AIDS.

DC health officials say at least three percent of residents are living with HIV or AIDS, and every mode of transmission is on the rise.

An official with the Whitman Walker HIV-AIDS clinic says the fastest rising group is African American males, ages sixteen and seventeen.