Panel Discusses Teens and HIV, AIDS

The panel assembled Thursday by the nonprofit group Advocates for Youth delivered a message on HIV and AIDS that was at once severe and hopeful: No one is immune, but help is available.

Local panelists from the entertainment and medical fields, including Neal Baer, co-producer of the television medical drama “ER,” addressed the topic “Adolescents and AIDS” at the Sportsmen’s Lodge. They raised issues such as teen homelessness, the role of parents and the depiction of AIDS and HIV in daily media and on film.

“There is nobody in this room who is not living with AIDS,” said Stewart Sokol, director of HIV/AIDS Program Services for the South Bay Free Clinic. “Parents can’t fool themselves that their teenager is immune.”

Larry Friedman, head of adolescent medicine at UC San Diego, said specific knowledge of the medical needs of infected teenagers lags behind that of young children or adults. For instance, he said, there is no consensus on the proper teen dosage of the drug AZT.

Baer, who received a medical degree from Harvard University before getting involved in “ER,” discussed the show’s recent treatment of HIV infection.

“The history of treating patients with HIV in television dramas is having them die a terrible death,” he said.

In an attempt to go in a different direction, the show has recently added a subplot involving an HIV-positive physician assistant. Baer said when episodes involving that character have aired, the national Centers for Disease Control has reported a surge in calls to its hotline.

The panel concluded with the testimonies of youths exposed to HIV during adolescence. One described contracting the virus after being date-raped. Others detailed histories of drug use.

“We have a certain responsibility to these kids,” Sokol said. “Not all of them are able to access these services, nor do they have a voice.”

For more information about HIV or AIDS resources for teens, call Advocates for Youth at (310) 559-5700.