HIV cases surge by 52% to 415 in May—DOH

Unprotected sex, men having sex with other men prevalent, says gov’t report

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) reported on Monday that 415 new cases of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) were reported in May, a 52-percent leap compared to figures culled during the same period in 2012 and the highest number of cases reported so far in a month.

HIV is the virus that causes the still incurable acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), a condition in which the body’s immune systems are attacked and damaged, ultimately leading to death.

According to the Philippine HIV and AIDS Registry, the major bulk of the new cases were from the National Capital Region, Calabarzon, Davao, Central Luzon and Central Visayas. “The three highest reporting regions were Metro Manila, Calabarzon and Davao,” the report said.

Ninety-six percent of the cases were males, of which 55 percent belonged to the 20-29 years old age group.

Of the 415 HIV positive cases, 409 were contracted through unprotected sex, with men having sex with other men as the predominant type of sexual transmission while the rest were infected through injecting illegal drugs.

The DOH also noted that 95 percent of the cases were still asymptomatic at the time of reporting.

A total of 65 deaths were reported from January to May this year. Of this number, 60 were male.

“The highest number of deaths occurred in the 25 to 29 age group… followed by the 30 to 34 and 35 to 39 age groups,” said the DOH.

As of May, there were 4,115 people living with HIV who were reported to have been undergoing anti-retroviral therapy, it also noted.

The World Health Organization (WHO) issued on Monday new HIV treatment guidelines, recommending that the anti-retroviral therapy be given to HIV patients earlier, with recent studies showing that earlier medical care will help patients have longer and healthier lives.

Early therapy also substantially reduces the risk of transmitting the virus to others. Such move could also avert an additional three million deaths and prevent 3.5 million more new HIV infections between now and 2025. –Jocelyn R. Uy, Philippine Daily Inquirer

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