HIV cases in PH
THE number of Filipinos living with the dreaded human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) may double in just six years.
Described as “alarming,” the report is seen to prompt health authorities to intensify efforts to address the problem.
And what is certainly disturbing is the fact that those afflicted with the disease are becoming younger and younger in the country.
Although the Philippines has still one of the lowest HIV/AIDS infection rates in the world, it is experiencing the “fastest-growing HIV epidemic in the Western Pacific region.
To address the rising number of people getting afflicted with the virus, there is that need to remind the launch a nationwide information drive on HIV/AIDS.
“Kailangang laging aware ang taumbayan sa kahalagahan ng pag-iingat para hindi mahawa sa nakakatakot na sakit,” a village health worker said.
“Kapag makapansin o makaramdam ng sintomas, komunsulta kaagad sa doktor para hindi lumala ang sakit,” the lady health worker added.
DOH records show that from January 1984 to September 2024, 94 percent of those afflicted with the highly-contagious disease were males.
Diagnosed HIV cases are getting younger, with the predominant age group shifting from among 35-49 years old in 2002 to 2005, to 25-34 years old starting 2006.
The increasing number of Filipinos getting sick of HIV is, without doubt, very hard to take in the Philippines.
