Plea to identify HIV cases

Urgent action is needed to identify people with HIV much more quickly than at present, England's most senior doctor warned today.

Chief medical officer Sir Liam Donaldson said on average those diagnosed with HIV have had the disease for six years and more must be done to cut this time to prevent the spread of the illness that can lead to Aids. The report, entitled the State of Public Health, released today, focuses on five subjects; HIV, smoking and skin ageing, economic benefits of a smoking ban in public places, better blood transfusion, and academic medicine.