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Today
adolescents of both sexes face a serious risk of HIV infection,
which is the cause of AIDS. AIDS is a chronic and most often
fatal disease. Despite growing understanding and awareness,
HIV infection is a serious threat to both heterosexual and
homosexual teens. When adolescents take certain risks, they
are more likely to become infected with HIV and develop AIDS:
These
are the most important facts about AIDS:
- AIDS
is most often fatal
- Anyone
can get AIDS - many teens (both boys and girls) have been
infected
- Condoms
can reduce the risk of getting AIDS
- You
can get AIDS from use of even one contaminated needle or
one sexual act with a partner who has HIV/AIDS
Risk
of AIDS is increased by:
- an
increased number of sexual partners
- IV
drug use
- anal
intercourse
- any
sex (oral, anal or vaginal) without condoms
- alcohol
and other drug use (sex is more impulsive and use of condoms
less likely if under the influence of alcohol or other drugs)
- tattoos
and body piercing with contaminated (unsterile) needles
or instruments
AIDS (Acquired
Immune Deficiency Syndrome) is a chronic illness caused by
infection with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus). Millions
of Americans are believed to be infected with HIV. Some of
them have AIDS, but most have no symptoms at all, and many
do not know they are infected. Despite significant advances
in available medical treatment for HIV, there are no definitive
cures or vaccines that can prevent the disease. New treatments
have enabled many people with AIDS to live longer. AIDS can
be prevented by avoiding risk behaviors.
HIV is
transmitted through exchange of certain bodily fluids such
as blood, semen, vaginal secretions, and breast milk. To produce
an infection, the virus must pass through the skin or mucous
membranes into the body.
HIV infection
is preventable. Knowledge about HIV is an important aspect
of prevention. Parents should educate their children and also
work closely with schools, churches, youth organizations,
and health care professionals to ensure that children and
teens receive sex education and preventive drug abuse courses
which include material on HIV.
The HIV
virus dies quickly when it is outside the human body. It cannot
be transmitted by day-to-day or even close social contacts
not mentioned above. Family members of an individual infected
with HIV will not catch the virus if they share drinking glasses
with the person. There is no known instance in which a child
infected with HIV has passed the virus to another child in
the course of school activities.
HIV infection
occurs in all age groups. Twenty-five percent of the babies
born to untreated mothers infected with HIV develop HIV infection
themselves. Many of these children die within one or two years,
but some live for years, although their development is slowed
and they can get many infections. Mothers-to-be with HIV must
get special treatment to try to prevent transmission of the
virus to their fetuses. New treatments for pregnant women
may reduce the transmission of the virus to fewer than one
in ten babies of HIV-positive mothers
Drug and/or
alcohol abuse, premature and/or promiscuous sexual activity
are serious risk behaviors. Evaluation by a child and adolescent
psychiatrist can be an important first step in helping a family
respond effectively to high risk behaviors in their children
and adolescents.
Additional/related
Facts for Families, #52 "Comprehensive Psychiatric
Evaluation," #3 "Teens: Alcohol and other Drugs," #9 "Child
Sexual Abuse," #63 "Gay and Lesbian Adolescents," and #62
"Talking to Your Kids about Sex."
Article
#30 Updated 11/99
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