ONE person a fortnight is diagnosed with HIV in Worcestershire and the number is on the increase, Worcester Aids Foundation has said.  And there are fears youngsters in particular are putting themselves at increased danger of contracting the disease because they are uneducated about the causes. In a recent quiz distributed to groups of young people in Worcester by the Foundation, many wrongly believed you could catch the disease through insect bites. It has now launched a STAND UP HIV! campaign aiming to supply accurate information and advice to enable youngsters to make sensible decisions to safeguard their own health and that of their peers.

One HIV sufferer from Worcester, who asked to remain anonymous, is giving it his full backing.  "It terrifies me that the biggest fear among young men today seems to be getting girls pregnant and not the real risks of catching sexually transmitted diseases like HIV from having unsafe sex," he said.  "They need to know the dangers."

Liz Bailey, from the foundation, said the short-term outcome of the campaign will be that young people will be better informed about HIV and thereby at less risk of contracting the virus. "The long-term aim is to reduce the number of cases of HIV among young people in the area," she said.  "There is an idea that HIV has somehow gone away simply because it is no longer today's news. "This means that young people are engaging in behaviour which puts them at risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV, and the numbers of new cases are increasing.

"We need to get the message to young people that it's still very much with us, and by knowing the facts, they can reduce the risk."
Young people from Worcester College of Technology's Art and Design School have been involved in the design and production of an information "ZCard" about HIV, and these credit card-size leaflets are being distributed around the county, including at RSVP, the YMCA and University College Worcester. to find out more about information sessions for young people, call Liz or Sue on 01905 611602.

First published on Wednesday 20 July 2005 -Worcester Evening News:

PEP is a treatment that may prevent HIV infection after the virus has entered the body. A recent study showed that 79% of gay men had never heard of PEP.
Post
Exposure
Prophylaxis

PEP involves taking a course of anti HIV drugs for 4 weeks after exposure to the virus. It must be started as soon as possible - between 24 and 72 hours. PEP isn't guaranteed to work and can cause side affects, but it has had a high success rate in preventing those exposed to the virus from developing HIV. Find out more by following the link below:
http://www.pep.chapsonline.org.uk/pep_basics.htm

To speak to someone in person, call THT Direct on 0845 1221 200