Increase in HIV cases noted among men

DR. MA. Lorena Santos of the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC) reported an increase of patients with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), particularly those in male-to-male relationships.

Since May 2006 up to April 2012, they have been monitoring 45 HIV-Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (Aids) patients in Baguio City.

According to Dr. Santos, 22 out of these 45 patients are still alive and actively medicating.

Out of the 45 patients, two are still alive but are not getting treatments. Five have been transferred to other treatment hubs, seven are strictly being observed because of their critical Aids condition and nine have already died.

When she was asked about how many of the 45 are males and how many are females, Dr. Santos said 45 to 50 percent of the Aids patients are heterosexual.

Dr. Santos said the youngest patient that she has encountered was a 17-year-old but is now 21-year-old.

She added that as of April 2012, the youngest patient she has is a 19-year-old and the oldest is 55-years-old.

All treatments and medicines given to the Aids patients are free with the help of the Department of Health and PhilHealth. All they have to do is update their PhilHealth membership, Dr. Santos added.

Dr. Santos informed the public about what Aids is; what people can do to avoid it; and the treatments they would undergo in case they are already infected with it.

She counsels Aids patients to help them deal with their situations, especially when they have dilemmas admitting the disease to their relatives.

On May 15, the Aids Candlelight Memorial Day will be celebrated with the theme “Promoting Health and Dignity Together.” (Micah Quirimit, UPB Intern)