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teens with hiv taking more risks

2023-06-21 13:09:16

Since the introduction of powerful drugs to treat AIDS, new research has shown that young people infected with HIV are more likely to engage in dangerous sexual behavior and drug use. Researchers pointed out that this trend began to emerge after the introduction of the highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART) in 1996, to reduce risk behavior and improve the quality of life of patients in this group Indicating the need for targeted intervention. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 40,000 HIV-infected people occur in people under 21 years each year in 40,000 people in the United States.

One in five American university students may be infected with HIV. Adolescence is a major risk group for HIV infection. More than a fifth of AIDS patients are in their twenties and may be infected with adolescents. This disease is the seventh most common cause of death among children aged 15-24 in the United States. It is especially important for young people to understand HIV and AIDS, symptoms, spread, and results. HIV spreads through blood, semen, vaginal secretions, breast milk. If contact involves the exchange of blood or sexual fluids, sexual activity with infected partners can lead to HIV contraction. Risk is considerably lower than sexual intercourse, but there is a possibility of being infected with HIV through oral sex. Viruses can also be transmitted through contaminated syringes for drugs, steroids, tattoos or punctures. Infected blood and blood products may infect HIV through blood transfusion.

Drugs can increase the risk of illness and injury in adolescence. A drunken teenager shares a needle and is highly likely not to have a protective gender, which may cause diseases such as hepatitis, HIV / AIDS, Chlamydia, gonorrhea. Young people who use drugs also have high risk of accidental injuries, quarrels, car accidents and suicide. Combining teenager adventure with the risk of drug or alcohol abuse can make a very dangerous cocktail. The impact of society, media and young associates is so strong that many parents want to know if there is a way for teenagers to avoid drug use. According to the National Addicting Drug Abuse Center (CASA Columbia), maintaining a strong family environment may be one of the most effective ways to prevent youths' substance abuse. CASA Colombia reported: