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DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HIV AND AIDS |
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Young People Do Get AIDS:
- Many people think that young people don't get AIDS. That's not true. AIDS can affect
any one- of any age, of any ethnic or racial background- who engages in behavior
with an infected person that can transmit HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.
- As of Spring 1989, more than 18,000 people aged 20-29 have been diagnosed with AIDS.
Because a person can be infected with the virus that causes AIDS for as long as
10 or more years before the signs of AIDS appear, a significant number of these
young people would have been infected when they were teenagers.
- Many teens engage in behaviors that increase their risk of becoming infected. Adults
sometimes have no idea that the young people they know may be having sexual intercourse
or experimenting with intravenous (IV) drugs. These activities can increase their
risk of infection with the virus that causes AIDS.
- All young people need to know about AIDS and the specific actions they can take
to protect themselves and their loved ones from becoming infected. Let's begin with
the basics.
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What is AIDS?
- AIDS stands for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, a disease in which the body's
immune system breaks down. The immune system fights off infections and certain other
diseases. Because the system fails, a person with AIDS develops a variety of life-threatening
illnesses.
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AIDS Is Caused By HIV Infection:
- AIDS is caused by the virus called human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV. A virus
is a small germ that can cause disease.
- If HIV enters your blood stream, you may become infected with HIV. A special blood
test can detect HIV infection.
- A person who is infected can infect others, even if no symptoms are present.
- You cannot tell by looking at someone whether he or she is infected with HIV. An
infected person can appear completely healthy.You cannot tell by looking at someone
whether he or she is infected with HIV. An infected person can appear completely
healthy.You cannot tell by looking at someone whether he or she is infected with
HIV. An infected person can appear completely healthy.You cannot tell by looking
at someone whether he or she is infected with HIV. An infected person can appear
completely healthy.
- Even when no symptoms are visible, however, anyone infected with HIV should be under
a doctors care.
- People infected with HIV can develop many health problems. These can include extreme
weight loss, severe pneumonia, a form of cancer, and damage to the nervous system.
These illnesses signal the onset of AIDS. In some people, these illnesses may develop
within a year or two. Others may stay healthy for as long as 10 or more years before
symptoms appear.
- No one will develop AIDS unless he or she has been infected with HIV. By preventing
HIV infection, we can prevent AIDS.
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Some Disturbing Facts
Surveys have found that:
- The average age for a girl in the United States to have sexual intercourse for the
first time is 16. The average age for a boy is 15.5.
- It is estimated that 2.5 million teens are infected with sexually transmitted diseases
(venereal diseases-VD) each year. The virus that causes AIDS is sexually transmitted.
- 60% of all American high school seniors have used illegal drugs. Some of these drugs
are injected. The virus that causes AIDS is spread through the sharing of IV drug
needles or syringes.
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