Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and HTLV-III/LAV infection.

Although AIDS and HTLV-III/LAV infection are rare in adolescents, the number of infected adolescents in increasing. Adolescents may place themselves at risk for becoming infected through sexual exposure and use of intravenous drugs. The management of infected adolescents includes management of social, emotional, and psychologic problems as well as the physical condition. Providers of health and social care for adolescents need to be informed regarding HTLV-III/LAV infection in this population. Prevention depends largely on appropriate education of the teenage population.