HIV Guest Speaker

Yesterday in my Health class we had a guest speaker who came to talk to us about HIV,  he is only 24 years old and has been living with HIV since the age of 17. He shared many interesting facts with the class. He explained that for adolescents living with HIV, the issue regarding taking medication is difficult. This is due to the fear of social isolation and rejection by family and friends when their medication discloses their HIV status. Suboptimal medication adherence is associated with higher viral loads and can lead to further complications such as drug resistance or infections. Young people in the United States use alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs at high rates. Both casual and chronic substance users are more likely to engross in high-risk behaviors, such as unprotected sex, when they are under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Poor young people are at high risk for HIV infection if they are exchanging sex for drugs or money.

HIV/AIDS education needs to take place at correspondingly young ages, before young people engage in sexual behaviors that put them at risk for HIV infection. Schools are important partners for reaching youth before high-risk behaviors are established. Sex Education classes can give information to adolescents before they become sexually active. Other HIV/AIDS prevention resources include individual, peer, family, church, and community programs. These resources can also help reduce the incline of HIV/AIDS in young people.

It is also important to give adequate health care access to all youth who are already sexually active. Programs such as Planned Parenthood are great resources to have for all communities and especially those communities whose youth is at higher risk of HIV/AIDS infection. Giving youth the knowledge that there is help will prevent further increases in HIV diagnoses.

Vocabulary Words

Engross- (1) Absorb all the attention or interest of. (2)Gain or keep exclusive possession of (something)

Adherence- attachment: faithful support for a cause or political party or religion