“Too old to be children, yet too young to be adults, adolescents needs are often underestimated or simply overlooked”. (Seery 2001)

By the end of 2003 it was known that there were about 130 children born with HIV in the UK who were 13-15 years old. Another 75 teenagers aged 16-19 had acquired HIV when they were born, so altogether there are 205 young people who have reached the age of adolescence, having lived with HIV throughout their childhood.

Another 360 teenagers aged 15-19 have acquired HIV through sexual transmission or injecting drug use.