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Misty Cutgrass is a mother of four.

She's a wife.

And she's HIV positive.

"Basically it's a hidden thing in Sioux Falls," said Cutgrass. She and community leaders held a panel to call attention to the rising number of women diagnosed with HIV. "Basically I think it just needs to become unhidden and people just need to get tested and know about HIV and AIDS."

The 27-year-old has been living with HIV for ten years, but her children and husband are not infected. She said, "Well my children don't know. The oldest one is seven, so he doesn't really understand."

But she wants women to understand that they can have a quality life even after being diagnosed with HIV. She said, "It's miraculous what they can do with medicines that's why its important to get tested rather than not get tested."

Nicole Burger of Volunteer of America Dakotas works with those living with HIV in Sioux Falls. She says that without becoming informed, people won't be able to decrease the "alarming" infection rates among women.

"A lot of people have become complacent with this disease and that's the main reason we've seen an increase in numbers right away," said Burger.

There are an estimated 365 people living with HIV and AIDS in the Rushmore State -- 70% are male and 30% are female. 34 new cases were reported last year.

Valerie Gutierrez
© 2009 KSFY. All Rights Reserved.

WATCH THE VIDEO

WATCH THE VIDEO

Misty Cutgrass is a mother of four.

She's a wife.

And she's HIV positive.

"Basically it's a hidden thing in Sioux Falls," said Cutgrass. She and community leaders held a panel to call attention to the rising number of women diagnosed with HIV. "Basically I think it just needs to become unhidden and people just need to get tested and know about HIV and AIDS."

The 27-year-old has been living with HIV for ten years, but her children and husband are not infected. She said, "Well my children don't know. The oldest one is seven, so he doesn't really understand."

But she wants women to understand that they can have a quality life even after being diagnosed with HIV. She said, "It's miraculous what they can do with medicines that's why its important to get tested rather than not get tested."

Nicole Burger of Volunteer of America Dakotas works with those living with HIV in Sioux Falls. She says that without becoming informed, people won't be able to decrease the "alarming" infection rates among women.

"A lot of people have become complacent with this disease and that's the main reason we've seen an increase in numbers right away," said Burger.

There are an estimated 365 people living with HIV and AIDS in the Rushmore State -- 70% are male and 30% are female. 34 new cases were reported last year.

Valerie Gutierrez
© 2009 KSFY. All Rights Reserved.

WATCH THE VIDEO