The Mindanao Examiner Regional Newspaper
Philippines has 24HIV/AIDs daily
EVERY HOUR, one case of Human immunodeficiency virus infection and acquired immune deficiency syndrome infection (HIV/AIDS) is recorded in the Philippines, according to the Department of Health (DOH).
Just this year alone, it number of cases on male said some 24 new cases of having sex with male and we HIV/AIDs infection are have high cases of persons recorded in a day. But injecting drugs, sharing of despite the spike in the needles,” Wenceslao said. number of cases recorded In Negros Oriental, there per day, DOH views this is are currently three positive not entirely negative as this HIV cases recorded by the could lead to early Integrated Provincial Halth detection of HIV/AIDs Office (IPHO) and these are cases and many people taking anti-retroviral drugs, can avail of the treatment said Cristina Dagle, HIV/ for the infection, according AIDS coordinator. to DOH’s HIV program Dagle disclosed that coordinator Mark some 600 individuals who Wenceslao. have submitted to IPHO’s
This could also mean mobile voluntary testing and that more people are open counselling program to HIV/AIDs testing, he conducted in nine said. municipalities in the
He said DOH province recently. Another continues to intensify the round of voluntary testing campaign on HIV/AIDs will held next year. prevention by conducting She also encouraged another round of mobile those with acquired sexually voluntary testing and transmitted infections to counselling starting next seek medical consultation as year. Wenceslao early as possible as this can encouraged everyone to lead to HIV. Dagle take the test as part of HIV/ underscored to the public to AIDS prevention. practice “ABCDE” in
Based on DOH preventing the spread of the records, five new cases virus. were recorded in Bohol “A refers to abstinence, and 55 other cases in Cebu as in no sexual contact as of September this year. between partners. While B is
Males remain to have being mutually faithful to the highest number HIV/ each other, C is correct AIDs cases in Central condom use, D is no to drugs Visayas with 2,292 cases, or alcoholic drinks and E is compared to females with for education, early 246 cases as of September detection and early this year. treatment,” she said.
In terms of age group, Following initial the highest number of infection, a person may cases were recorded within experience a brief period of the 15 to 24 age category, influenza-like illness. This is followed by 25 to 34 age typically followed by a group with 1, 055 cases, 25 prolonged period without to 49 age group with 585 symptoms. As the infection cases, and 50 and above progresses, it interferes more with 88 cases. and more with the immune
“In Region 7, we are system, making the person unique because in other much more susceptible to regions, they have a high common infections, like tuberculosis, as well as opportunistic infections and tumors that do not usually affect people who have working immune systems.
The late symptoms of the infection are referred to as AIDS. This stage is often complicated by an infection of the lung known as pneumocystis pneumonia, severe weight loss, skin lesions caused by Kaposi's sarcoma, or other AIDSdefining conditions.
HIV is transmitted primarily via unprotected sexual intercourse, including anal and oral sex, contaminated blood transfusions, hypodermic needles, and from mother to child during pregnancy, delivery, or breastfeeding. Some bodily fluids, such as saliva and tears, do not transmit HIV.
Common methods of HIV/AIDS prevention include encouraging and practicing safe sex, needleexchange programs, and treating those who are infected. There is no cure or vaccine; however, antiretroviral treatment can slow the course of the disease and may lead to a near-normal life expectancy.
While antiretroviral treatment reduces the risk of death and complications from the disease, these medications are expensive and have side effects. Treatment is recommended as soon as the diagnosis is made. Without treatment, the average survival time after infection with HIV is estimated to be 9 to 11 years, depending on the HIV subtype.