Bandleader reported to have AIDS virus?

Has a bandleader been afflicted with HIV, a virus that leads to Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome disease?

This question was raised following a benefit concert for "Roy," a leader of a local band, staged Saturday night at the Celebrity Bar along Escario Street.

Initiated by the Struggle for Radical Action (SRA), the show gathered at least 20 local bands, mostly punk-rock groups.

But one of the organizers, "Nick" of SRA, clarified that "Roy" was not inflicted with HIV, saying that the show was intended to finance his current medical bills.

"Sakit ra man to sa throat pero wala lang siya (Roy) magtagad mao nga nigrabi pero dili tinuod nga HIV positive, siguro nagka Hepa C siya," Nick told ABS-CBN TV Patrol Cebu.

"Roy" is confined in one of the private hospitals in Cebu since last month.

Rene Joseph Bullecer, national director of Aids Free Philippines, did not confirm whether Roy has HIV. "It's not yet conclusive."

Nowadays, Bullecer said, sharing syringes, especially during illegal drug sessions, could lead to acquiring HIV.

As of July, there are at least 1,835 HIV carriers of the over 2,566 HIV/AIDS cases recorded in the country.

Of the figure, heterosexuals comprise over 1,606 cases; homosexuals, 754; and bisexual, 140. About 19 AIDS cases were due to blood transfusion and seven to needle injection.

Mode of transmission, according to Bullecer, is through sexual intercourse and blood transfusion. - Ramil V Ayuman