Katherine K. Hsu, M.D., M.P.H., of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health in Jamaica, explain the pediatrician’s importance in H.I.V. testing and preexposure and post-exposure H.I.V. prophylaxis, indicating that many sexually active youngsters in the U. S. do not really think they are at risk of acquiring H.I.V. but have not been checked.
Pre & Post Exposure HIV Prevention In Adolescents And Young Adults
On 20th December, a medical research report was published in Pediatrics regarding H.I.V. testing and preexposure and postexposure H.I.V. prevention in adolescents and young adults. As per the researchers, pediatricians can foster a climate of secrecy and guidance, as well as encourage open dialogue about sexuality and reproductive health. In care environments, all youth aged 15 and up should be given routine H.I.V. testing at least once.
Those at significant risk should always be rescreened as frequently as three to six months after initial screening. H.I.V. preexposure prophylaxis should be consistently administered to youth at high risk of contracting H.I.V. At least two-thirds of H.I.V. transmissions happen via mail to the male sex. In contrast, heterosexual encounters are the primary means of communication among female adolescents and young adults.
H.I.V. postexposure prophylaxis is also recommended following high-risk exposures. P.E.P. (post-exposure prophylaxis) is a short course of H.I.V. medications given shortly after a probable H.I.V. infection to prevent the virus from taking hold in your body. It is essential to go on regular checkups if someone is sexually connecting to many people.
Application of all these suggestions is difficult due to complex concerns of confidentiality, H.I.V. status declaration, consenting in adolescent care, and heterogeneity in how rules address these, the researchers write.
H.I.V. is spreading rapidly as sexual activity and interaction are increasing among youngsters. It is not only in the U.S. but also worldwide, so the sexual diseases like H.I.V., AIDS, and many more.
Its also one of the reasons behind the increasing cases of depression, stress, and mental illnesses. P.E.P. (post-exposure prophylaxis) is a short course of H.I.V. medications given shortly after a probable H.I.V. infection to prevent the virus from taking hold in your body. It is essential to go on regular checkups if someone is sexually connecting to many people.
Despite significant gains in treatment and ongoing efforts to screen specific individuals, the H.I.V. epidemic persists in the United States. In 2006, there were an estimated 1,106,400 HIV-positive persons in the United States. In the 20 to 24-year-old age range, H.I.V. is one of the top ten primary causes of death. Approximately 48% of HIV-positive adolescents and young adults were uninformed of their status.
Compared to testing in H.I.V. counseling and testing centers or S.T.I. clinics, more than 80% of adults who had an H.I.V. test did so in doctors’ offices, hospitals, emergency departments, and clinics, according to the 2007 National Health Interview Survey. Because kids are more inclined to use urgent care settings for their health care requirements, using acute care facilities to enhance testing rates appeals to them.
Although parental engagement in adult health care is always good, the adolescent’s consent should be sufficient to give H.I.V. testing and treatment. If cost or anonymity are concerns, pediatricians should employ free and confidential community-based testing programs.
In high-prevalence places, routine H.I.V. testing should be adopted in emergency departments and urgent care facilities. This will provide an excellent opportunity to reach children who do not find primary care services frequently.
Local laws are also being changed to comply with these recommendations in each state. Nonetheless, by advocating risk reduction and H.I.V. testing to their teenage and young adult patients, pediatricians can play an essential role in preventing and controlling H.I.V. infection.
