People acquiring HIV getting younger

BAGUIO CITY: Persons diagnosed here with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are becoming younger, according to a physician from the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC). Dr. Lorena Santos of BGHMC told reporters on Friday that the youngest person recorded by her unit having HIV is only 18 years old.

HIV is a virus that causes acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). People living with HIV are prone to multiple complications, which may lead to their death.

Santos reported that since May 2006 up to present, her unit recorded 21 HIV/AIDS cases with six deaths. Eight others are undergoing regular check-up, while seven are asymptomatic.

With younger people contracting the virus, Santos said she favors the inclusion of sex education in the curriculum of the Department of Education provided those in charge know how to relay the right information to the students.

Contrary to public perception that female sex workers are the only high-risk sector, Santos said that even overseas contractual workers, students and officer workers who practice unsafe sex are prone to acquiring the virus.

Dr. Gerard Belimac of the National Center for Disease Prevention and Control of the Department of Health told Luzon reporters in a recent forum that people who are getting HIV are becoming younger over the past years.

Aside from the female sex workers, the other most-at-risk population sectors are males having sex with males, freelance sex workers and drug users.

Health officials said the main causes of HIV/AIDS include practice of anal sex, having multiple sex partners, infrequent use of condom and sharing of needles or syringes.

At least four new cases of HIV cases are recorded daily in the country since January this year, which means there are at least 720 HIV cases during the first six months.

Dr. Cecilia Brillantes of the City Health Services Office reported Wednesday that since 1992 up to present, the Baguio Health Department recorded 37 cases, which includes BGHMC’s cases, with 17 deaths.

Of the 37 cases recorded, 24 are males and 13 are females. Overseas Filipino workers top the list with 19.

During an HIV/AIDS media forum in Palawan last month, the department reported that at least four new HIV cases are being recorded in the entire country daily. -HARLEY PALANGCHAO, Manila Times