Burning QuestionsPeer HIV Education Strategies for Youth Isaiah Webster III, National Youth Advocacy Coalition Most people I’ve met in their late 20s or 30s possess a great deal of knowledge about HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. Moreover, even if they don’t know that much about the subject, they were afforded many opportunities to learn, and at a minimum, have developed an understanding of how the virus is and is not spread. Most importantly, many people in that age group probably know at least one person who has died of complications of AIDS, and in some cases, many people. This first-hand knowledge of HIV/AIDS is the lasting scar for many of us who lived through the 1980s and the evolution of an epidemic that has infected more than 40 million people worldwide. Many of today’s youth (ages 13-24) have no such up-close and personal knowledge of HIV/AIDS. Though their history books are filled with names and faces of Ryan White, Rock Hudson and Earvin “Magic” Johnson, they may never truly be able to understand the way in which these figures transformed how Americans thought about AIDS. The vast majority of American high school seniors, who graduated this spring, were born in 1989 and 1990. They came of age in the latter part of the 20th century. By then, technological advances had helped us develop drugs that significantly prolonged the life expectancy of people living with HIV, and prevention efforts had become so widespread that condom availability and HIV testing programs were commonplace, especially among high-risk communities. Ironically, fewer deaths and more education have created a generation of young people who for the most part, don’t perceive HIV as a serious public health crisis. In turn, this lack of perceived risk has led to a disturbingly high number of new infections among youth. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 13 percent of all new HIV infections discovered in the U.S. in 2004 were among 13-24 year olds. Even worse, another 25 percent of all new infections that year were attributed to 25-44 year olds. When you consider that most people are infected for many years before they are tested, these statistics reveal how severe the disease is within the youth population. With that in mind, the National Youth Advocacy Coalition convened discussion groups with youth across the country to explore the most pressing questions that youth have regarding the disease and how peers could address those concerns. The discussion groups took place in Philadelphia, Chicago and Seattle, and included youth from various backgrounds and ethnicities who raised questions based on both their own experiences and interactions with others. These are some of the questions commonly asked, and the answers youth need. How can females who have sex with other females contract HIV? According to the CDC, “there are no confirmed cases of female-to-female sexual transmission of HIV in the United States” as of 2004. However, HIV is transmitted through four fluids: blood, semen, breast milk and vaginal fluids. Thus, any activity that could lead to exposure of one of these fluids would be considered a risk. For females who have sex with other females, the CDC said, “condoms should be used consistently and correctly during every sexual contact with men or when using sex toys. Sex toys should not be shared.” Can you contract HIV from pre-ejaculatory fluids (pre-cum)? Yes. The CDC has reported that HIV exists in high concentrations in pre-ejaculatory fluids, thus providing a high risk for transmission. Using condoms consistently and correctly for oral, vaginal and anal intercourse can help reduce this risk. Why should I find out my HIV status? HIV attacks the body’s immune system, without which people lose their ability to fight common illnesses and stay healthy. The only way to know your HIV status is by taking an HIV antibody test, which can be administered at public health clinics and community-based health organizations. If HIV is discovered in its early stages, doctors can help delay the onset of AIDS and prolong life. Additionally, knowing your HIV status can help end the epidemic, because most people living with HIV take measures to avoid infecting others. How do HIV medications work? HIV medications work to attack the HIV virus at its various stages of growth inside the human body. These drugs, which are divided into four classes, assist the body’s natural immune system defenses to help suppress the amount of HIV infection in the body. Though HIV treatments have advanced significantly in the last 10 years, they in no way constitute a cure for the disease. To learn more about individual HIV-related medications and their purpose, visit the HIV medications page at The Body. How can we help fight HIV? The question most often raised by youth is how can they help in the fight against AIDS. HIV is a rather weak virus that cannot survive very long without a host cell. The spread of the virus is chiefly dependent on ignorance, as knowing the facts about its design and modes of transmission have proved most effective in defeating it. As a first step in the fight against AIDS, youth must educate themselves and their peers as much as possible about HIV and its prevention. To learn more, visit Advocates for Youth. Secondly, youth should consider taking an HIV test as a means of fighting the epidemic. Effective screening could help those who are HIV positive to get treatment sooner. Moreover, someone who knows their HIV status can help prevent the spread of the disease by protecting their sexual partners. Youth who have been tested already can volunteer time at testing sites and help promote broader HIV testing in their communities. Finally, youth must see themselves as advocates for their generation, with the knowledge that no contribution is too small in the fight against AIDS. Activism comes in various forms, from discussing health issues with family members around the dinner table to writing a short letter to the editor of your city newspaper. With so many opportunities and with their own creativity and drive, young people can truly make an impact. It is well documented that young people enjoy sharing what they know about important topics with their peers. However, communicating information accurately can be very difficult. Here are a few tips to help you effectively share information about HIV/AIDS:
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