HIV positive youth

HIV positive youth
Some young people you encounter in your project may already be infected with HIV. Their needs
are different but are also very important. They need help making decisions about their lives,
they often need to prepare for eventual illness and may need clarification to truly understand
what HIV and AIDS means. Safe sex is especially important for this population, to prevent the
virus from being passed on to others and to prevent their exposure to other STD’s.
HIV positive youth may find it difficult to deal with the fact that they are infected so early in
life. They may be confused about their sex life and the risk of infecting others. They may be
disconnected from friends due to stigmatization and may not always have support from their
own family [5]।
]“There have been numerous cases in which people living with HIV have been criminally
charged for conduct risking the transmission of the virus . . . But we must be careful to
avoid over-reacting based on misinformation and prejudice . . . such situations can lead
to a miscarriage of justice and promote stigma and discriminationHIV positive IDUs may encounter a double stigma—once due to their drug use, and the second
time due to their HIV status. Social stigma must be fought, but we must realize that it won’t
disappear immediately and we should be aware of the difficulties that these youth may be
going through.“Live and let live was the slogan of the two-year World AIDS Campaign 2002-2003, which focused
on eliminating stigma and discrimination.
Stigma and discrimination are the major obstacles to effective HIV/AIDS prevention and care. Fear
of discrimination may prevent people from seeking treatment for AIDS or from acknowledging their
HIV status publicly. People with, or suspected of having, HIV may be turned away from health care
services, denied housing and employment, shunned by their friends and colleagues, turned down
for insurance coverage or refused entry into foreign countries. In some cases, they may be evicted
from home by their families, divorced by their spouses, and suffer physical violence or even murder.
The stigma attached to HIV/AIDS may extend into the next generation, placing an emotional
burden on children who may also be trying to cope with the death of their parents from AIDS.
With its focus on stigma and discrimination, the Campaign will encourage people to break the
silence and the barriers to effective HIV/AIDS prevention and care. Only by confronting stigma
and discrimination will the fight against HIV/AIDS be wonHIV positive youth can also become peer educators. This can give them some meaning and a
sense of purpose if they are willing to talk to others about their experience.
Youth who develop AIDS and become sick can be visited by the group, and supported through
their most difficult times. The programme can also help by reminding them to take medication
or shopping for them if necessary, for example. Some youth will not have family or friends to
stand by them when they are sick—in this case your programme can be especially important.