HIV is still a concern among Missouri health officials

Although it has been more than 30 years since HIV and AIDS research began in the U.S., some Missouri health experts warn that just because medical advancements allow individuals who have the disease to live longer doesn't mean that the virus is not dangerous and deadly.

A recent article published by OzarksFirst.com reported that the AIDS Project of Ozarks saw more HIV diagnoses within the southwest Missouri region during 2010 than there were in any given year since 1999.

The news provider explained that there are now about 813 individuals living in the area who have HIV.

"We tell people early on in the disease that they're going to live a long and healthy life. It really isn't a death sentence unless you don't get tested and you're in a hospital intensive care unit where you find out that you have HIV," said APO director of Outreach Marlin Martin, quoted by the news source.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are more than 1.1 million Americans living with HIV. However, the organization estimates that 21 percent of these people have not been properly diagnosed.