Ways to Combat HIV on Long Island

Several cases of human immunodeficiency virus on Long Island in recent years were diagnosed in people between the ages of 13 and 24, which a New York immunologist says could have been prevented by people having more honest conversations with their doctors.

David Rosenthal, DO, medical director of the Center for Young Adult, Adolescent and Pediatric HIV at the North Shore-LIJ Health System says simply being better informed about risky behaviors can help slow the spread of the virus.

During a discussion at Hofstra University Thursday night, Dr. Rosenthal said that about 25 percent of people diagnosed with HIV in 2010 were younger than 25. He stressed to the students in attendance that having the proper information can help them make the healthiest choices.

“So if something happens – oops, the condom broke; oops, I forgot the condom; something else happened – that’s post-exposure prophylaxis,” said Dr. Rosenthal of treatment options for HIV. “That needs to start as soon as possible, up to 36 hours and some say you can do up to 72 hours and that prevents you from getting HIV down the road… The concept (of pre-exposure prophylaxis) is that if you think you’re going to be in a situation where you can be exposed to HIV, in addition to using condoms and other ways to prevent HIV transmission, you take a pill a day and that prevents you from getting HIV.”

According to HIV Clinical Resource, the most at-risk sexual behaviors for getting HIV are anal and vaginal intercourse, with the person receiving the seminal fluid most at-risk.

Dr. Rosenthal also encouraged the Hofstra students to find a physician who they feel comfortable talking about the sexual life and concerns with so the person can be informed and know what their best options for protection are.

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