How at risk are teenagers for HIV infection?!
Question: Teenagers are at risk for a variety of reasons:
-current sexually tranmsitted infections GREATLY increase the likelihood of getting HIV if exposed, and current rates of STIs among teenagers are WAY too high.
-kids are not being taught adequately and consistently across North America about sexual health, HIV, and other STIs. It just isn't happening. Don't rely on your schools to teach your kids how to protect themselves.
-among young gay men (teenagers and beyond) the risk is still too high because of a few factors, one being the amount of homophobia they are exposed to growing up. Study after study has showed that reduced self esteem is a major factor in the decision whether to use a condom or not. Just one factor that society continues to enforce.
-and when people who are 25, 30, or even 35 present with classic HIV symptoms, it is more likley that they were infected as teenagers. Remember it takes on average 10 years for the classic HIV symptoms to present themselves.
-I could go on for a while....
Answers: Teenagers are at risk for a variety of reasons:
-current sexually tranmsitted infections GREATLY increase the likelihood of getting HIV if exposed, and current rates of STIs among teenagers are WAY too high.
-kids are not being taught adequately and consistently across North America about sexual health, HIV, and other STIs. It just isn't happening. Don't rely on your schools to teach your kids how to protect themselves.
-among young gay men (teenagers and beyond) the risk is still too high because of a few factors, one being the amount of homophobia they are exposed to growing up. Study after study has showed that reduced self esteem is a major factor in the decision whether to use a condom or not. Just one factor that society continues to enforce.
-and when people who are 25, 30, or even 35 present with classic HIV symptoms, it is more likley that they were infected as teenagers. Remember it takes on average 10 years for the classic HIV symptoms to present themselves.
-I could go on for a while....
Just as at risk as anyone else who has sex without a condom. Even if you're a teenager, if you have unprotected sex, you're at risk for HIV.
Very high. It was less for awhile because people were being careful. Now teens and the senior crowd are both high risk groups.
Teenagers as well as adults have very high risk for HIV that is if you go on doing it without using any protection. Also when you are exposed to people with it, exposure doesn