Homework Answers

Lynette was born with HIV and diagnosed at birth in 1990. Her chances of survival were incredibly slim. She lived in hospitals the first several years of her life. She has been on most HIV treatment regimens. She was constantly educated about HIV, but trying to understand it was so hard. Before she was eight, she lost both parents to AIDS. She had hepatitis C for a while, but it remained undiagnosed since high school. She graduated in 2009 and lived a ‘normal’ life. She went to university but always kept her status secret for fear of rejection. She even considered suicide as she felt that there was no reason to live.

3.3 According to Gouws (2019:142-143) there are a variety of factors at play a role in adolescents’ suicide. After reading the case study of Lynette above, which of these factors could possibly relate to Lynette’s inclination to commit suicide. Provide reasons for your answers. 

Lynette was born with HIV and diagnosed at birth in 1990. Her chances of survival were incredibly slim. She lived in hospitals the first several years of her life. She has been on most HIV treatment regimens. She was constantly educated about HIV, but trying to understand it was so hard. Before she was eight, she lost both parents to AIDS. She had hepatitis C for a while, but it remained undiagnosed since high school. She graduated in 2009 and lived a ‘normal’ life. She went to university but always kept her status secret for fear of rejection. She even considered suicide as she felt that there was no reason to live. (Taken from: “Avert”, 2009) 

3.1 What is the difference between HIV and AIDS?