5 FACTS ABOUT HIV / AIDS NEED TO KNOW

HIV / AIDS cases in Indonesia, the more alarming. In Indonesia, the cumulative cases of HIV and AIDS from January 1987 until March 31, 2009 only, consisted of 6668 HIV cases, 16,964 AIDS cases. The proportion of cumulative AIDS cases by age groups, among others under the age of one year reached 135, ages one to four years to reach 175, ages five to fourteen years to reach 88. Aged fifteen to nineteen years to reach 522, age twenty to twenty-nine years to reach 8567 cases. While the age of 30 to 39 years to reach 4997, aged 40 to 49 years to reach 1427, aged 50 to 59 years to reach 404, age above 60 years to reach 91, and unknown patient reaches the age of 558 cases.

From this data, patient age and earning quite a lot of teenagers. This is alarming. Most teens consider HIV as a disease that is not dangerous. Worse yet, a lot of understanding of HIV / AIDS. Let's look at 5 facts about HIV / AIDS that must be known to teenagers:

1. HIV indiscriminate

Since the HIV epidemic began 20 years ago, the stereotypes that circulate in society about persons with HIV are gay men, drug users and commercial sex workers who get that label. In fact, everyone can get HIV, from old age, young, rich, poor, women, men, and children - children and from various professions. 

2. Oral sex is not as safe as thought

Oral sex is often considered a way of "safe" sexual intercourse. In fact, based on research, the infected body fluids such as semen and vaginal secretions containing high concentrations of the HIV virus can enter the bloodstream through the mucous membranes of the mouth.

3. Do not just worry about pregnancy 

Many teens believe, one - the only risk of unprotected sex is pregnancy. Therefore, taking birth control pills, oral sex and ejaculation outside to prevent pregnancy. In fact, many things to worry about than pregnancy, namely the existence of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) such as syphilis, herpes, including HIV that could threaten life. 

4. Sometimes people are not telling the truth and we do not know the truth

Think for a moment the above sentence. How many people who admit that they suffer from HIV when asked by his new partner? How many people who acknowledge their sexual lives when they know someone new? How many people are really - really know their HIV status and health status of people - people with them before?
A statement "My partner does not have HIV" can only be accepted if accompanied by tangible evidence of a negative HIV test. Ask clearly their HIV status and ask them to do the tests as evidence, nor from ourselves.

5. There is no cure for the killer 

Although people with HIV / AIDS (PLWHA) to live longer thanks to antiretroviral drugs, these drugs do not cure. If any of these drugs protect against opportunistic infections is not a "shortcut" from HIV infection. These drugs even cause side effects such as diarrhea, excessive fatigue, redness, nausea and vomiting. So, you should consider before you go too far and ruin your future, because HIV is a "silent killer", the silent killer that obviously will make you regret in the future because of it.

KF-Newspapers Residents / v / Dr. Diamond Airlina Febiliawanti