The HIV infection is now spreading among youth between 18 and 30 year-olds where 50 such cases have been reported during the first nine months of this year, Director of the National STD and AIDS Control Program Dr. Rasanjali Hettiarachchi said.
She told the Daily Mirror that fourteen university students and three school children were among those reported cases.
She said about 2,350 people were receiving treatment for HIV in Sri Lanka whereas it was estimated that some 3,750 HIV infected people were in the society.
Dr. Hettiarachchi said HIV infections among youth have increased due to lack sex education.
“HIV and AIDS are two different diseases. We have treatment for HIV in Sri Lanka and because of this, the number of people who were infected with AIDS has reduced. It is pathetic that youth have become victims of HIV as they will have to take treatment for a long time,” she said.
She pointed out that youth have infected the disease due to drug addiction and through social events such as parties where they attend in groups. (Ajith Siriwardana)