MY CRAZY MEDIA LIFE
PROGRAMME 2: TELLING THE WORLD I'M HIV
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
HIV and AIDS
There is no cure for HIV/AIDS, but almost a third of 18- to 24-year-olds think that there is, according to a survey published by the HIV/AIDS charity, the Terence Higgins Trust, in July 2002.
Teens are dying from embarrassment
More than 15,000 people in the UK have died from HIV/AIDS over the last 20 years. Teens are embarrassed to buy and use condoms and STIs (sexually transmitted infections) are on the rise.
40% haven't heard of HIV/AIDS
Sex education is failing. A survey in 2001 by the Schools Health Education Unit revealed that today's youngsters are much less aware of the facts. It revealed that 40% of 11-year-old boys had never heard of HIV/AIDS.
Major epidemic
Contrary to popular perceptions that the HIV/AIDS epidemic has gone away, more people than ever before were diagnosed with HIV/AIDS in 2001 and the numbers of people living with HIV/AIDS is set to rise by half over the next five years. It is now more common in heterosexuals than in homosexuals.
What is HIV?
HIV stands for the Human Immunodeficiency Virus. The virus damages the body's immune system, so that over time it becomes vulnerable to illness and infections.
What is AIDS?
AIDS is caused by HIV. When a person has AIDS, it means their immune system is very weak and they have developed certain infections or cancers. These can be fatal.
How is it passed on?
The most common ways that HIV is transmitted from one person to another are:
- Unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex with an HIV-infected person
- Sharing needles or syringes with an injecting drug user who is infected with HIV
- From HIV-infected women to their babies before or during birth (although there are treatments to help prevent this), or through breast-feeding after birth.
Signs and symptoms
A flu-like illness may occur shortly after being infected, but most people don't notice. Symptoms vary from person to person and occur when the immune system is so damaged that other infections begin to cause health problems.
Tests and treatment
The only way to establish if you have the virus is to have an HIV test. After a discussion about the test and the consequences of the result, a sample of blood will be taken and tested.
You'll need to wait three months after infection might have occurred before doing the HIV test.
There is no cure for HIV. However, drugs are available to slow down the damage that HIV does to the immune system. People who are HIV positive can now stay healthy for many years with anti-HIV drugs.
