It seems that honesty only applies if it does not threaten your ability to have your cake and eat it too.
That seems to apply in so many things in life - not just sex.
I also recall being taught that gay men were the one's who spread it so quickly
I think this officially changed to heterosexuals about 5 years ago. When HIV/Aids first came out it was more associated with gay men, but over the years it has become an equal opportunity disease.
That is part of the thinking that keeps it on the rise, thinking that it is more prevalent in a certain group when it is across-the-board. (Not knocking you Toddzgrrl02, I'm thinking specifically of teens and college coeds in this instance). It is part of the "it can't happen to me" mindset.