10/16/2014
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"HIV doesn’t have to define who you are, but you have to know that you have it," Valley Aids Council’s spokesman Oscar Lopez said.
This year, 47 people from across valley ages 13 to 24 were diagnosed with HIV, an increase in the number of new cases for the same period last year.
“Last year, we had about 32 people at this time last year, but they were 23, 24. Now we have 18 year olds, 17 year olds, so parents need to be aware of this and young people need to know it's happening in their communities," Lopez said.
Confirmed HIV cases are on the rise.
Right now, more than 3,000 people are living with HIV.
Lopez told Action 4 News for every one diagnosis, studies show, there are four undiagnosed people; meaning there are possibly 12,000 people in the Valley with HIV.
More alarming, the younger people getting diagnosed aren't following through with their treatment.
"They don't take it every day the way they are supposed to because they have other distractions in their life."
When those with HIV take their medication as prescribed, Lopez said they reduce their chances of transmission to nearly zero, but right now Lopez said Hispanics is the number one group not being adherent to HIV treatment.
"We're the number one group in the country than any other ethnic group because by the time we have HIV within the year we'll also find that we have AIDS because we waited too long to get tested."
21-year-old Andrew was diagnosed when he was 18 years old.
For now, his HIV is under control due to daily medication, but he said it’s been a tough three years.
He spoke to UTB students today about preventing HIV.
Andres is living with HIV and said, "Have safe sex, know your partner and their status and get tested."
Lopez said people who are very sexually active should get tested every three months, and others every six months no matter who your partner is.
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