The threat of HIV and STDs is still very real
HIV and AIDS seem to have become backburner issues in recent years. Though there are continuing efforts in research to create new and better antiviral agents to replace those that are now ineffective due to resistance, much attention has been focused elsewhere. This is partly due to the fact that, for the most part, known HIV and AIDS cases are under good control. Because of this, the public has become rather complacent about the disease. There are fewer ads addressing the issue of unprotected sex, which can lead to various sexually transmitted diseases, HIV included. Sex education in schools is supposed to include material on contraception. Yet, the rate of teenage pregnancies has really not declined, so it’s easy to conclude that kids are not getting the message. What’s even clearer is that adults are not getting the message. These adults are supposed to understand the risks they take with unprotected sex – that is, unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases. Over the last few years, STDs such as Chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis have been on the rise. Yet, little is said of HIV. In the US, STDs are reportable to the state and they keep a list of those who have been infected. But because HIV is such a highly sensitive topic, it is not reportable. However, those with HIV who knowingly infect others are liable for a criminal offense. I do not know the status of reporting for STDs in the UK, but I do know that HIV-infected persons can be charged as a criminal if they knowingly and deliberately attempt to infect others without that person’s knowledge. A recent police report in the Devon and Cornwall area highlights this ruling. Though I believe that the supposed HIV-infected person is criminally liable, if indeed he did such a thing, I think those women should have shown some sexual maturity. He did not prey on youngsters. These were young women. Why did they have unprotected sex? Why did they have sex with someone they did not know well? Though I would not put the onus on the women in a court of law, I still feel they should learn some responsibility. It’s too easy to blame someone else for your own mistake. Next time, don’t have sex with someone you can’t trust. And don’t have unprotected sex. HIV is not dead and gone. It is still out there and scientists are still working on it. Don’t be fooled into thinking that no one gets it anymore. And, even if you are not concerned about AIDS, think about the other STDs. These are just as harmful as they have always been.
