BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL G. BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – Cases of human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) in Negros Occidental are becoming alarming, according to the Provincial Health Office (PHO).
From January to September 2022, Negros Occidental recorded 172 confirmed cases while Bacolod City reported 101, said PHO head, Dr. Ernell Tumimbang.
Fifty percent of the cases in the province is between 25 to 34 years old.
The youngest case is only 15 years old.
Tumimbang also noted that 115 of the 172 cases were attributed to male-to-male transmission.
The PHO head said those considered vulnerable of getting the infection should be tested immediately.
He also advised them to avoid risky sexual behavior, practice safe sex, and seek immediate medical treatment.
Based on further data for the whole of Western Visayas, Iloilo province has the highest number of HIV/AIDS cases in the region at 210. Capiz has 106 cases, Iloilo City has 92; Aklan, 71; Antique, 48; and Guimaras, 14.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the HIV targets the immune system, and its most advanced stage of infection is AIDS.
HIV can be transmitted through the exchange of body fluids from infected people such as blood, breast milk, semen, and vaginal secretions. HIV can also be transmitted from a mother to her child during pregnancy and delivery.
Individuals cannot become infected through ordinary day-to-day contact such as kissing, hugging, shaking hands, or sharing personal objects, food, or water, the WHO added.
On Dec. 1 each year, the World AIDS Day is commemorated to show support for people living with and affected by HIV, raise awareness, address inequalities, and remember those who lost their lives from AIDS-related illnesses./PN
