Essay on HIV Among African Americans - 811 Words

According to the CDC, about 18 % of those infected with HIV in the United States are unaware of their infection. An estimate of 1,000 young people ages 13 to 24 are newly infected with HIV each month. HIV is transmitted through bodily fluids such as semen, blood, breast milk, and vaginal fluids. These fluids can come in contact between people in a variety of ways, including having unprotected sex (oral, vaginal, or anal); HIV can also be passed from mother to child during childbirth. Mother to child transmission is now rare in the US and other developed countries because pregnant women who are HIV-positive are normally given medications to prevent the fetus from getting infected. However, it is possible for an HIV-infected mother to†¦show more content†¦They shouldn’t wait too long to explain this to children. Acording to Valerie Jarett As many as 22% of African-Americans with HIV do not know that they have the virus. Of new infections among youth,60% are among b lack youth, and over half of all HIV positive youth were unaware of their infection. It is a parents job to teach kids how to protect themselves from HIV. You may think your child is not at risk. But according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) U.S. high school students surveyed in 2011,47.4% had ever had sexual intercourse 33.7% had had sexual intercourse during the previous 3 months, and, of these 39.8% did not use a condom the last time they had sex76.7% did not use birth control pills or Depo-Provera to prevent pregnancy the last time they had sex 15.3% had had sex with four or more people during their life If a person find out that they are infected with HIV, treatment can slow down the progress of the virus There is no cure for HIV or AIDS. However, there are medicines that fight HIV and help people with HIV and AIDS live longer, healthier lives. Starting treatment early can mean the best health for you and a longer time before you develop AIDS or other inf ections. Unfortunately, most people do not find out they have HIV until the disease is at advanced stages. This limits the treatment options.Show MoreRelatedHiv / Aids : Growing Epidemic Among African Americans1607 Words   |  7 PagesHIV/AIDS the growing epidemic among African Americans April Hampton Excelsior College ILSE SILVA-KROTT October 11, 2015 Abstract In my studies I have found that HIV/AIDS is one of the largest growing epidemics among African American’s. Along with the stigmas individuals have to face, there lay the unspoken thought process of â€Å"It wouldn’t or couldn’t happen to me†. 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