Over the last decade there has been a dramatic increase in the number of teens who have contracted HIV. Between 2001 and 2005 there was a 20% increase in the amount of teens reported to have contracted HIV. The question many people are asking is why? HIV has also been on the rise for younger and older adults.
Many possibilities have been stipulated as the reason in propos to the increase in the teenage population. For example better drugs now keep HIV patients healthier for longer which. This has been proposed to have eliminated the “scare factor” involved with contracting the deadly virus. This may be the case, but some research has shown that fear is not always the best deterrent, especially for teens. Teens are in their prime, in the age of feeling like they can do anything, be anything and that nothing can hurt them…especially not a deadly virus. HIV is a concept, not real to them. They no longer see the real effects or learn about the consequences of contracting the virus. What’s even worse is the fact that the virus has been stigmatized as a “gay” or “bi” virus so many straight couples do not even consider that they may be at risk.
There has also been an increase in the gay community, young and old. HIV medication has also been blamed as a reason for this. It’s been postulated that knowing that there are medications that can help you, reduces the risk associated with contracting viruses. It does not help that “In gay magazines, you now see [ads with] buff, handsome men climbing mountains, with some kind of quote about how 'I'm not letting HIV get in my way’". HIV medication, and therefore HIV itself, has been somewhat glorified and a message of being able to control the virus has been spreading amongst all communities of at risk groups. Of course, this message is false. This picture that has been confabulated lies about the reality of the virus, even when medications are working to suppress the virus. Many symptoms that are not said in the ads are: higher cholesterol, increased risk for heart disease, liver failure…etc.
At risk groups, as well as those not at risk, must be informed of the real danger behind the virus. They must be shown the reality behind living with the virus. It is not all fun and games, and the medication will only prolong your life, not rid your body of the virus.
[Source: HealthDay]
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