Diseases, Conditions & Concerns / Question
Published: September 30, 2003
Dear TeenHealthFX,
One kid in my school is a COD. He cut himself and went around waving his arm and touching people, Screaming,"AIDS AIDS" Alot of good friends, who are girls got touched and I am a little worried...What should i do?
Signed: Kid In School Has COD
Dear Kid In School Has COD,
If this incident happened at school and the teachers or principal do not know you need to report this incident. Cutting one's self and purposely exposing others to this wound is behavior that needs to be addressed. This young man clearly wanted to scare students and it sounds like he succeeded. When the incident is reported, school officials will take proper steps to ensure that no students contracted any disease.
AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) is an often poorly understood disease and this young man used that to scare students. AIDS is caused by the virus, HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus). One can only contract HIV through the exchange of bodily fluids such as blood, semen or vaginal fluid (including menstrual blood), and breast milk. The most common transmissions of HIV include: anal sex in men and women, vaginal sex without a condom, unprotected oral sex and intravenous drug use. HIV can also be transmitted through home tattooing or unsterile needle piercing. When a cut anywhere on the body comes in contact with blood carrying the virus it can be transmitted. Check out our answer to What is HIV/Aids.
At this point, you should report this incident to the school. The school should then take proper measures to ensure that all students are informed about AIDS/HIV and tested if needed. You do not know if this student has AIDS. Due to privacy and confidentiality laws there are a limited number of individuals who are allowed to know if a student has HIV. This may have simply been a stunt to scare and gain attention
Signed: TeenHealthFX
Teens who drink are more likely to be victims of violent crimes and sexual assault, have serious problems in school, be involved in drinking-related traffic crashes, and develop problems with alcohol later in life.
