HIV spread among drug users alarming

CEBU, Philippines - A Cebu City health official yesterday expressed alarm by the spread of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) among injectable drug users.

Dr. Ilya Tac-an, head of the City Health’s Sexually-Transmitted Diseases (STD) section, said there are now about 2,500 HIV cases from persons engage in injectable drugs.

The statistics rose by 53 per cent last year from the 2009 figures, Tac-an told members of the selection committee for the nominees of the Charter Day awards.

Tac-an said most new HIV cases were due to needle sharing among drug users.

The HIV, once full-blown will become Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), destroys the human body’s immune system. Until now, it does not have any known cure.

At present, there is only an antiretroviral treatment that slows down the progression of the disease.

HIV can also be acquired through sexual contact with persons afflicted with the disease. Other modes of HIV transmission is through blood transfusion and organ transplant.

The virus may not transmit to other person through kissing unless if the person has an open wound on their mouth like “luas.”

One of those nominated for most outstanding section heads, Tac-an revealed her accomplishments before the selection committee members. She said they already conducted information drive in schools and other gatherings.

Tac-an said most of those HIV positives are males and only 10 percent are females.

The records showed that from 1989 to 2007 there were only 50 HIV cases through sexual contact.

While the oldest found positive last year was a 55-year old man, records showed that in the past, there was a 79-year-old man found positive of HIV, while the youngest was 15 years old.

Tac-an said those who practice multiple sex partner must use condom and other protection.

The national statistics showed that 271 Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) were tested HIV positive in 2011 compared to 174 in 2010. OFWs comprised 21 percent of the 8,364 total HIV cases listed in the National HIV and AIDS Registry in 2011.

The easy access to paid sex services is one of the reasons why HIV infections had been increasing.

Since the National AIDS Prevention and Control Law prohibits compulsory testing, new HIV infections are only recorded during voluntarily test.  (FREEMAN)