HIV, or human immunodeficiency virus, is a retrovirus that causes AIDS. HIV is spread through bodily fluids including semen, vaginal fluid, breast milk and blood. In teenagers, HIV can be particularly devastating, especially for those who don't know their status and spread the virus unknowingly. Understanding the nature of HIV and AIDS allows teenagers to take precautions against infection and safeguard their health.
Prevalence
The rate of HIV infection in teenagers is growing. According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, adolescents and teens have one of the most rapidly increasing rates of HIV infection, with roughly 2 young people becoming infected every hour in the United States. The high rate of HIV transmission in teenagers is due largely to the prevalence of high-risk behaviors in this population. According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, nearly 25 percent of teens have slept with four or more partners by their senior year in high school, and only 35 percent of 15- to 17-year-olds report using a condom during each encounter.
Signs and Symptoms
While late-stage HIV infection can cause a variety of severe symptoms, early infection might have no noticeable symptoms at all. When symptoms do appear, they're often mistaken for those of common infections like the flu. According to Mayo Clinic, symptoms of early HIV infection can include fever, sore throat and swollen lymph nodes. As the disease progresses, symptoms become more apparent. Diarrhea, weight loss, chronic cough, night sweats and frequent yeast infections are common symptoms of late-phase HIV infection and full-blown AIDS.
Misconceptions
Since the advent of anti-HIV medications, many people view the disease as a manageable condition like diabetes or asthma. While anti-retroviral drugs have greatly increased the survival rate for AIDS patients, there is still no cure for HIV. And medications used to manage HIV can cause side effects that greatly decrease quality of life. According to the website Avert, common side effects of anti-retroviral drugs include vomiting, diarrhea and lipodystrophy, a disfiguring condition in which fat accumulates in various parts of the body. Heart problems caused by fat redistribution are also a possible risk of some HIV drugs.
Prevention/Solution
The best way to prevent HIV and AIDS in teenagers is by spreading awareness about how the disease is transmitted. While abstinence from sex and IV drug use are the only ways to completely avoid contracting HIV, using condoms and clean syringes can reduce the chances of contracting the disease. Teens with HIV and AIDS can live long and happy lives by following basic healthy living standards like proper diet and exercise. Strict adherence to a medication schedule is vital to maintain the effectiveness of HIV drugs and prevent viral mutations that lead to drug resistance.
Warning
HIV testing is the only way to know your status. All teens who are sexually active should be tested for HIV to prevent spreading the disease and to find the most effective treatment for their condition.
