About one in five babies born to HIV-infected women is infected. Teenagers are becoming infected. Teenagers of both sexes are at risk of infection. Teens are not likely to perceive themselves at risk and may be willing to take chances with unprotected sex, and teens often have sex with older partners who may have had multiple sex partners or used drugs. Despite strong community-based efforts, studies suggest that young gay men are engaging in unsafe sex, so continued education and outreach to the gay community are essential.
Drug use is a major factor.
Many cases of HIV transmission result from the use of addictive drugs. People who use injected drugs often contract the virus when they share needles with an infected person. They may also become infected through sexual activity with infected partners who have used injection drugs, or by trading sex for drugs or money to buy drugs. Even alcohol use may increase high-risk behavior because it reduces inhibitions and interferes with decision making. Syphilis and HIV continue to be found frequently among users of crack cocaine and their sex partners.