THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, June 24, 1994 TAG: 9406230048
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E14 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Traci & Doran
DATELINE: 940624 LENGTH: Medium
I'm 13 years old and I attend Plaza Middle School. I like this boy who is 15 and I try to tell him that I like him, but every time I tell him he ignores me. What should I do? Should I keep telling him or not? - Troubled
{REST} Dear Troubled in Plaza,
We don't think that you should continue to tell this guy that you like him. If he is interested in you, then he is going about this the wrong way and so are you. Don't waste your time trying to to talk to someone who ignores you - your time is worth more than that.
Also, consider the age difference between the two of you. He may think he's ``too cool'' to have a relationship with someone who is two years younger. Don't let him discourage you - he could come to you after you give up on him.
Dear Traci and Doran,
I recently found out that I contracted the AIDS virus. I've only been involved sexually with one person, I don't do drugs, I haven't had a blood transfusion. The only way that I could have contracted the virus is through my boyfriend. However, he refuses do get tested. What should I do? - Confused
Dear Confused,
First, as bad as you may feel about your diagnosis, you must realize that if you did get infected through unprotected sex, you must accept part of the blame for your condition. You took a risk.
Yes, your boyfriend should be tested. If he is a carrier of the virus, he could pass it on to others. Also, according to the AIDS Resource Center at the Eastern Virginia Medical School, the earlier a person is diagnosed, the better. Someone who is HIV-positive and starts anti-viral therapies early may not get sick as quick and develop full-blown AIDS.
Testing for HIV is free at all local health departments. Tests are also done at anonymous testing sites in Virginia Beach, Suffolk, Portsmouth and Hampton. To get an anonymous test, call 1-800-873-8378. You will be assigned a number that will be used when you are tested and you will be given the location of the test sites. Information about AIDS and HIV is available 24 hours a day by calling 1-800-342-AIDS.
Traci Hill is a 1994 graduate of First Colonial High and Doran Ricks is 1994 graduate of Southampton High School. Their column appears biweekly in Teenology. They accept questions on INFOLINE. Call 640-5555 and enter category 8335. Or write to them at 4565 Virginia Beach Blvd., Virginia Beach, Va. 23462.
by CNB