AIDS 8212; Teenagers cautioned against AIDS

CHANDIGARH, Sept 3: Cautioning teenagers against indulging in risky behaviour leading to the spread of AIDS, Dr Rajan Gupta, senior staff...

CHANDIGARH, Sept 3: Cautioning teenagers against indulging in risky behaviour leading to the spread of AIDS, Dr Rajan Gupta, senior staff scientist at the Los Alamos National Laboratory in the US, said there was no cure for the world8217;s number one emerging problem and prevention was the only answer.

He was speaking at a seminar on The AIDS Pandemic organised by the Confederation of Indian Industries here today. Over a thousand students drawn from classes X to XII from about 20 schools in Chandigarh, Panchkula and SAS Nagar attended the seminar and participated in an interactive session.

Referring to the magnitude of the menance posed by AIDS, he said involvement at the level of the Prime Minister is required: quot;It would send a very clear message that the issue needs to be given utmost priorityquot;.Dr Gupta said that teenagers8217; activities cannot be monitored by parents or teachers and hence their lives were in their own hands and they should act intelligently and responsibly.

He described the psycho-trauma of indulging in risky behaviour as immense. Such behaviour is followed by guilt, fear of pregnancy and apprehension of contacting sexually transmitted diseases. Psycho-trauma levels are higher in women and they should take the lead in controlling risky behaviour.

In the Indian context, he said, it was women who stand to suffer most from sexually transmitted diseases where medical and social factors are concerned.

Highlighting the principles of AIDS prevention, Dr Gupta stressed controlling risky behaviour, avoiding drugs and alcohol use, fidelity in marriage and helping to educate others.

Pointing out that about 20 million Indians are suspected to be HIV-positive and that the figure would increase dramatically in the coming years, he added that the fatal disease could claim about 60 to 70 million lives, even if no more persons are infected.

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Explaining why it is very difficult to develop a cure for AIDS, Dr Gupta said the AIDS virus hides in white blood cells WBCs.