Still happening, newly infected.

For the first time I am taking care of newly infected patients that are younger than my son, Eli.
This has caused profound feelings of saddness for me. I wonder how it happened. When I asked one he said that he just assumed he would get it because he is gay. He did not use condons with an older partner that was known HIV positive.
What is this young man missing that would allow him to get this completely preventable disease.
What did he not get growing up that has prevented him from having the abiity to protect himself, to know that he is worth taking care of. His relations with his parents are very volitile and his father is repeatedly throwing him out, most likely related to him being gay.
He has been homeless and he is 19. What must that feel like?
Infections these days are different than in the past.
When HIV arrived we were caught off guard. Many people were infected before we new what was going on, before we had an understanding of the infection and the way it is spread. Now it is about 25 years later. We have a great understanding of the virus, what it does in the body and we have even developed medication to control this to turn it into a chronic illness. We have learned exactly how thie is spread.
In case you are unclear here is how it goes.
HIV lives in blood, blood is found in the red blood that you see, in breast milk, in vaginal fluid and in semen. Any of these fluids need to enter into the blood stream to cause infection. SO, sex, sharing of dirty needles, transfusions, breastfeeding. These are the most common ways of transmission. If a baby is infected it is during birth. The babies positivity only is dependent on mom being positive. Dad does not play a role in transmission to the baby.
In the womb the baby is in a completely safe environment it is during the actual birth that baby comes in contact with mom's blood that baby may become infected. For a mom on treatment with a suppressed viral load the baby's risk is approx 1%.
At my clinic we have about three babies a year and we have not had a positive baby born in over 12 years.
So that being said.. where are we lacking in prevention?
Condoms, condoms, condoms save lives. They are a must. Needle exchange to allow each person to always use a clean needle...
Why is this so difficult? I understand we are sexual beings, I understand we have issues around drug addiction that are complicated. But what are we to do? Really what do you think?

Every new patient understands exactly how they got infected but they did not protect themselves.

Yes, HIV is a chonic disease but it has so many complications from social stigma to heart disease. How can we convey more clearly that having HIV is no party. AND , one is not eligable for disability just becasue they have HIV. I have heard of people becoming infected so that they can get housing assistance and medical care.
That is a statement of our country right now, don't you think?

Give me your ideas..I am in a position to share your thoughts with others that work in this field.
I am committed until the end..
there is no cure in site... the cure is prevention
If there are no new infectiosn then this disease will end when those that are infected pass on.
It is a sad thought but true.

The other side of the coin is the infected people who knowingly spread this virus. What about that?