According to the latest report by the Department of Health (DOH) last February, 20 new cases of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are diagnosed every day. This is almost 50 percent higher from the number of cases reported daily in 2012.
HIV leads to acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), a condition in which the body’s immune system is attacked and compromised, making the patient vulnerable to opportunistic diseases that would ultimately lead to death.
In 2014, there were a total of 6,011 new cases of HIV reported nationwide. Of this figure, 543 were reported as AIDS cases. Last year, 188 deaths were recorded.
Last month alone, 646 new cases of HIV were registered by the DOH. This is the highest number of new cases reported in a month since 1984. The new cases brought the total number of reported HIV cases nationwide to 23,709 since 1984.
Out of the 646 new cases, Metro Manila accounted for 41 percent or 262 cases of the recent HIV cases, the highest among all regions.
DOH records showed that from 1984 to February 2015, most of the cases (about 79 percent) were transmitted by males who had unprotected sex with other males. Fifteen percent are transmitted between males and females who had unprotected sex while 5 percent are people who shared needles.
There were 17 reported deaths among people with HIV in February. Of this figure, 15 of them were male. Most (65 percent) are aged 25 to 34 years old.
During the same month, the DOH warned the public of the emergence of a new and more aggressive form of the virus that leads to the faster development of AIDS.
With a new strain of HIV infecting people in other parts of the world, the public should be more informed about the growing prevalence of HIV-AIDS cases in the country, said Health Secretary Janette Garin.
In 2013, the World Health Organization issued new HIV treatment guidelines, recommending that antiretroviral therapy be given to HIV patients earlier. Recent studies have shown that earlier medical care helps patients have longer and healthier lives.Sources: DOH HIV-Aids and ART Registry of the Philippines, Inquirer Archives