18 new HIV cases recorded

AT LEAST 18 new HIV cases were recorded by the Department of Health (DoH) in the Cordillera Region from January up to February this year.

Cherrie Caluza, STI/ HIV AIDS Prevention and Control Program coordinator from DOH-CAR expressed their alarm with the increasing number of cases.

“From these cases, there were four from Benguet, 11 from Baguio City, one each from Abra, Ifugao and Kalinga. The places mentioned are based from the address of the People Living with HIV (PLHIV),” Caluza said.

Caluza added most of the HIV cases were transmitted by men having sex with men.

“From 1984 up to February this year, there were already 318 in the Cordillera region who were diagnosed with HIV with 23 deaths,” Caluza added.

An average of 28 cases of HIV are recorded everyday by the DOH in the country compared last year with 26 cases every day.

The National Capital Region has the highest number of cases with 37 percent followed by Region 4A with 15 percent and Region 3 with 12 percent. CAR contributes one percent of the cases nationwide.

Caluza said the disease can be prevented through abstinence and being faithful to sexual partners.

“It can be also prevented with the use of condoms during sexual intercourse, as well as the prevention of drug use. It would be better if there is a regular test on hospitals, health units or clinics. The people should be always aware and be informed,” Caluza said.

HIV is a virus that attacks the body’s immune system which causes Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome or AIDS, a condition characterized by a combination of signs and symptoms caused by HIV. It makes the afflicted individuals susceptible to other life threatening infections.