The number of city teens diagnosed with HIV has skyrocketed almost 30 percent, according to the latest statistics available - and one lawmaker is calling for action before "the uptick turns into an explosion." City Department of Health stats released this year show 168 kids between the ages of 13 and 19 diagnosed with HIV in 2006, a 29 percent jump from the 130 teens in 2004. Since 2001, at least 876 New York City teens have become infected with HIV. "There is the sense amongst younger people that this was the problem of the last generation, when in fact what we're seeing is the rebounding of HIV," said Rep. Anthony Weiner, who called the stats "startling" and is introducing a four-step plan to combat the infection of children. Weiner is proposing increased funding to school health programs, an increase in needle-exchange programs and the linking of HIV prevention and substance-abuse programs.

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