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About HIV

Did you know?

  • In the United States, 25 percent of all people with HIV became infected as a teenager.
  • In 2006, there were 40 million people living with HIV in the world — only 1.3 million of these people have access to treatment.
  • At least half of all new infections in the world are in people under 25 years old.
  • There are 6,000 new HIV infections daily among youth under 25 in the world, one every 15 seconds.
  • In 2005, there were 842 new HIV/AIDS diagnoses in Massachusetts.
  • In 2005, 59 new people in Massachusetts were diagnosed with HIV/AIDS.
  • Worldwide, 62 percent of youth living with HIV are female.
  • Nearly half (46 percent) of people, ages 13 to 24 years old, living with HIV in Massachusetts are female; but 59 percent of recent diagnoses among youth are male.
  • Thirteen new young people are diagnosed every day in the United States with HIV/AIDS — one new diagnosis every 108 minutes. An estimated 100,000 American youth have HIV. Most of them don't know it.

You are at risk for HIV if you ...

  • Are sexually active — you are always at risk for the disease when you have sex
  • Are heterosexual, homosexual, or bisexual
  • Have ever had unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex
  • Have ever had a condom break or slip off during sex
  • Have had sex while you've been drunk or high
  • Have ever had a sexually transmitted disease
  • Have ever been sexually assaulted
  • Have been a sexual partner of someone with HIV or someone at risk for HIV
  • Have ever shared needles or "works" to inject drugs or steroids
  • Have ever shared needles for tattooing or piercing

Helpful links

  • AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts is New England's oldest and largest provider of AIDS services, education and advocacy.
  • AIDSInfo is a service of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services offering information on HIV/AIDS treatment, prevention and research.
  • amfAR, The American Foundation for AIDS Research, supports HIV/AIDS research, HIV prevention, treatment, education and advocates for AIDS-related public policy.
  • Boston Alliance of Gay and Lesbian Youth (BAGLY) is a youth-led, adult-supported, social support organization for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered youth and their straight allies who are 22 or younger.
  • Boston Gay & Lesbian Adolescent Social Services (GLASS) is a non-profit project of the Justice Resource Institute committed to giving gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and questioning young adults a safe place to meet, talk and hang out.
  • Boston HAPPENS Program provides services and support to HIV infected, homeless and at-risk adolescents and young adults, 12-24 years old, in the Metropolitan Boston area.
  • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, provides national leadership in helping control the HIV epidemic by working with community, state, national and international partners in surveillance, research, prevention and evaluation activities.
  • Center for Young Women's Health provides information to teen girls about general health and nutrition, reproductive health issues, emotional health and much more.
  • Friends for Life is a place for hope, help and healing for all those whose lives are touched by HIV/AIDS.
  • Health Initiatives for Youth (hi-fy) works to improve access to prevention, care and treatment for adolescents living with, or at-risk of, HIV infection.
  • HIV InSite is an HIV information resource project sponsored by the University of California at San Francisco.
  • National Prevention Information Network offers HIV/AIDS and STD resources and information about education and prevention and has published materials and research findings, as well as news about related trends.
  • Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts is a program that offers training for teens on sexuality and relationships, as well as pregnancy counseling and other reproductive health care services.
  • The Body is an HIV/AIDS resource with access to a 15,000-document library.
  • The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation sponsors pediatric research and programs worldwide to help children with HIV/AIDS receive the proper treatment.
  • The National Pediatric AIDS Network is a resource for information on HIV/AIDS, from preconception to adolescents.
  • The SPARK Center is a childcare program offering comprehensive, integrated, state-of-the-art services for children and families whose lives are affected by medical, emotional and/or behavioral challenges.