People in Jersey 'more ignorant now' about HIV

People in Jersey are more ignorant now about HIV than they were a decade ago, according to an Aids charity.

ACET Jersey wants HIV prevention to be a priority for the island.

It said it was worried the number of people being diagnosed with HIV in Jersey had been doubling in recent years, and about 70 people were being treated for the disease.

The chief executive of ACET Rosemary Ruddy said people knew less about Aids now than they did 10 years ago.
'Better education'

She said it was of particular concern that people in their 50s and older "seem to think that in some way they are immune from sexually transmitted infections".

"People coming out of relationships, forming new sexual relationships... simply do not understand the risks and they are not taking them seriously," she said.

ACET wants more to be done in Jersey to stop the disease spreading and said better education not only saved lives but money.

It is thought every person who gets infected will cost the health service about £300,000 in medical care throughout their lifetime. (from BBC)

more eductaion is needed in schools re HIV x