HIV
HIV and Teenagers
Teens Complacent about AIDS
Ask the average teen what he or she knows about HIV / AIDS, and they
usually know the basic facts.
"It's a sexually transmitted disease, and you can die from it," says
15-year-old Brenda.
Jerry, 14, says, "A lot of people are infected every day, and you get it by not being safe."
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"They know a good deal from sex education and stuff. They know it's dangerous and that it has the
possibility of being lethal," says 16-year-old Johnny.
"Yeah, it'll kill you," echoes Ruth, also 16. "You don't want to get it. It's definitely a bad
thing."
Many young people certainly know the risks and understand the dangers of HIV and AIDS. So why do teens
continue to take chances with their health?
HIV
"Teens take chances, but that's just more of the feeling of being invincible and being young," Seth says.
"We understand it, but it's just more of they don't care, it won't affect me, type of personality."
"You don't even think about it even though you hear about it every day," says 16-year-old Peter. "You don't
really think about it unless it hits home."
Health experts are taking note of this ambivalence and are trying to zero in on the 13-25 age group, which is
the fastest growing population of new HIV infections.
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messenger for those who living with Herpes, HIV/AIDS, Thrush or other STDs.
"There's a lot of work to be done," says Kay Scott, president of Planned Parenthood of Georgia. "What we
know works is comprehensive sex education, connection to school, church and other community groups and really
strong support from parents."
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