HIV, AIDS cases highest in Cebu City

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City still has the most cases of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) recorded in the province for the first two months of 2016.

Recent data released by the Department of Health revealed the city had 10 full blown cases and 117 asymptomatic cases during these months.

Based on the number of cases, Mandaue City followed close with two full blown cases and eight asymptomatic cases while Lapu-Lapu had one full blown case, and five asymptomatic cases. Minglanilla town recorded one full blown case and three asymptomatic cases.

An asymptomatic status means the patient is an HIV carrier without showing any symptom.

The rest of the local government units with recorded cases all had asymptomatic cases during this time. Five cases were recorded in Talisay, three in Danao, two cases each in Liloan and Naga, and one case each were recorded in Asturias, Barili, Consolacion, Compostela, Dalaguete, Oslob, and Toledo.

Region 7 itself where Cebu belongs ranks third among five regions in the country with the most number of cases, including NCR, Region 4A, Region 3, and Region 11.

"It is quite alarming and we need to devote our time for giving information to the public. Education in this matter is very important," said DOH-7 Medical Officer III, Dr. Shelbay Blanco.

Since 1984, a total of 2,811 cases were recorded in Region 7, of which 114 are full blown while 2,699 were asymptomatic.

DOH said intravenous drug use is the top most mode of transmission of the disease. This is followed by male to male sex, which accounts for 616 cases; heterosexual sex with 389 cases; bisexual sex with 382 cases; and perinatal or mother to child transmission with four cases. The DOH also recorded 16 cases whose transmission was not known.

Based on data, four patients in Region 7 are below 15 years old. These cases were caused by perinatal transmission.

The most growth of the HIV cases belongs to the 25 to 34 age bracket followed by the 15 to 24 years old age group.

On May 22, in line with the observance of the 33rd International AIDS Candlelight Memorial Day, the DOH will conduct free HIV testing, the results of which will be confidential.

On that day, a solemn Mass will be celebrated at SM Consolacion at 3 p.m. followed by a memorial from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. for those who passed away due to the disease.

DOH pointed out ways to prevent the rise of the disease, including abstinence from multiple sexual partners, faithfulness of those who are in a relationship, safe sex through the use of condom, avoidance of injectible drugs, and education. — (FREEMAN)