NATURAL HELPERS

HIV/AIDS
AIDS is a deficiency of the body's immune system to fight a variety of infections and cancers. AIDS is the final (and fatal) stage that results from the infection of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). HIV is the most dangerous of all the STDs because there is still no cure or vaccine. New treatments have been developed to slow down the effects of the virus and people with AIDS are living longer than ever before, but it is still very deadly! Once you have the virus, you have it forever. Anyone is at risk for AIDS whether they are gay or straight. NOW the number of cases being reported at HIGH rates is among straight young adults and teenagers.
The AIDS virus can be detected by a blood test. The virus takes anywhere from three to six months to be detected in the body. The test is totally confidential. You are often assigned a number when tested and no name is used. You can get tested without parental consent. The blood test is often inexpensive at clinics or at YKHC. It’s important to get tested at a place that provides counseling, because counselors can help you understand what your test results mean, answer questions about how to protect yourself and others, and refer you to local HIV-related resources. If you are sexually active -- get tested -- you will feel great when you find out you are negative. Then stay that way by using condoms. If you are not sexually active and don't inject drugs, you don't need to worry about contracting HIV. If you ARE sexually active: DON'T GET AIDS in the first place! PROTECT YOURSELF!	Four ways to NOT get AIDS: NEVER have sex without a latex condom and spermicidal. (USE them together! Every time!) If you have an open cut inside your mouth, DO NOT have oral sex with anyone. Condoms should be used for oral sex . Use a condom with every act of anal sex. If you are a drug-user who uses needles, NEVER share needles with anyone. If you decide to get a tattoo or body piecing, make sure it is done with sterile equipment and by a reputable person.	The AIDS virus can be detected by a blood test. The virus takes anywhere from three to six months to be detected in the body. The test is totally confidential. You are often assigned a number when tested and no name is used. You can get tested without parental consent. The blood test is often inexpensive at clinics or at YKHC. It’s important to get tested at a place that provides counseling, because counselors can help you understand what your test results mean, answer questions about how to protect yourself and others, and refer you to local HIV-related resources. If you are sexually active -- get tested -- you will feel great when you find out you are negative. Then stay that way by using condoms. If you are not sexually active and don't inject drugs, you don't need to worry about contracting HIV. If you ARE sexually active: DON'T GET AIDS in the first place! PROTECT YOURSELF!
Over 50% of new HIV infections occur among people under age 25. Every hour in the USA, two teenagers will contract HIV.	ANOTHER REASON TO WAIT UNTIL YOU ARE MARRIED TO HAVE SEX!	DON’T BE BLIND… IT CAN HAPPEN TO YOU IF YOU ARE NOT CAREFUL!


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