HIV every three hours

Ten years ago, one case of Human Immunodeficiency Virus infection was reported every three days in the Philippines. Today, one case is diagnosed every three hours, according to TIME magazine. This does not include those unreported cases because of the stigma associated with HIV and AIDs. There were 24,000 cases in 2012, a low prevalence compared to a couple of other countries, but that’s too high! DOH found 415 HIV infection in May 2013, which was 52 percent higher over the same period a year before and the highest since 1984. Ninety percent of these cases are men, mostly 30 and younger. It is projected that by 2016 there will be 50,000 cases of HIV in the Philippines, less than 5 percent of them from illegal IV drug use and about 82 percent from sex between males.

A 53-page 2003 USAID report on HIV-AID infection in the Mekong Region (Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia) revealed 971,400 to be infected, out of their total population of 160,603,000. Today, the use of condoms in Thailand and Cambodia is reported to be more than 90 percent.

HIV-AIDS: Global trend

A person between the ages of 15 and 24 around the world is infected with the HIV every 14 seconds. Or, about 4 cases every minute, per global statistics. More than thirteen million children today are orphans because of AIDS.

Globally, there are more than 50 million people living with HIV today, up from 40 million in year 2001, and mostly among young people (15-49). This does not include those who have died from AIDS and the undiagnosed cases (where the persons may not even know they have HIV) estimated to be about 90,000.

In 2011, 2.5 million were infected with HIV, 330,000 of them were infants and children, born of infected mothers or through contaminated blood transfusion. Majority of these live in the poorest countries around the globe. In 2002, there were 56 cases of HIV infection in Cebu, Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu.

Today it has reached epidemic proportions in those three cities. For the first four months of the year, there were 27 cases in Cebu, five in Mandaue and four in Lapu-Lapu. In February alone, there were 339 new HIV diagnosed in the country, almost 25 percent higher than the same period last year.

What is AIDS and what is HIV?

AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome and HIV means Human Immunodeficiency Virus, the agent responsible for the disease. Most of those infected with HIV would develop AIDS within 12-15 years from the time they were first infected, according to the World Health Organization.

How does the virus cause the disease?

HIV attacks the immune system of the infected person and destroys the CD4 cells (the “generals” in our immune system army), rendering the body’s “security force” without its “commanders,” weak and defenseless to fight off infections. When the immune system breaks down, opportunistic infections set in and the person develops serious and deadly infections and  certain forms of cancer, all complications of AIDS.

How is AIDS transmitted?

The virus can be transmitted through the following body fluids: blood, pre-ejaculate fluid, semen, vaginal secretions and breast milk. There is no evidence that HIV is transmitted through sweat, tears, urine or saliva, since the concentration in these body fluids is so small. However, if, say the saliva is contaminated with blood from bleeding gums or a cut in the mouth of an AIDS patient, that saliva can transmit HIV. Kissing, in this situation, is risky.

Can HIV enter the skin?

No, the virus cannot penetrate the skin, unless the skin is cut or broken, in which case transmission becomes possible. Shaking hands with an infected person is safe. The virus cannot be transmitted through the air by sneezing or coughing either. These are the reasons why casual contact with people with HIV infection is absolutely not dangerous. The widespread misinformation and ignorance have led to unnecessary fear in people’s mind and the added emotional suffering on the part of victims of AIDS.

How does HIV enter the body?

The virus enters the bloodstream through mucous membranes, like the lining of the rectum, the walls of the vagina, the urethra (passage channel of the penis), nose, mouth and throat, or by intravenous transfusion of any infected fluid, like blood, plasma, etc., or use of a contaminated needle. The virus must get into the blood stream to cause AIDS.

Can one get HIV through oral sex?

Most definitely, especially the person giving the oral sex, since she/he is exposed to pre-ejaculate fluid, semen, or vaginal secretions and menstrual blood. If there is dental carries, open sores, cuts or abrasions in the mouth or gums, the virus can enter the blood stream even faster. While the risk in vaginal or anal sex and in giving oral sex is higher than that of receiving oral sex, the latter form of contact is likewise risky and could be as deadly.

Can a woman transmit HIV to the baby in her womb?

Yes, maternal to fetal transmission is obviously the rule since their individual blood circulation is “connected” with each other.

Does bleach kill the HIV?

Yes, Chlorox (bleach), with high concentration of Chlorine, kills HIV. This is what “smart” or experienced drug addicts use to “sterilize” their needles and other paraphernalia used in “pushing” narcotics and other illegal drugs. However, there is no guarantee that this practice is effective, since the sterilization technique could be flawed.

Are condoms effective?

The use of latex condoms has been proven to be effective in the prevention of HIV infection and other sexually-transmitted diseases (STDs). However, 1-3 percent of condoms could have factory defects, and condoms are also known to develop holes or tears during rough handling or during the actual sex act, which will then allow disease transmission. The best practice is not to have sex with someone who could be exposed to HIV or other sexually-transmitted diseases. Those with multiple partners have been shown to be at a greater risk, compared to partners who are both monogamous. Today, when one gets infected with HIV, it is almost like a death sentence. It must, therefore, be prevented at all costs.

Sexually transmitted HIV infection is totally preventable.  This is one condition where our fate is really 100 percent in our own hands.

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