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Thursday, March 28, 2024

Region 8 reports 68 new HIV/AIDS cases in Nov. ’15

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The Department of Health Regional Office (Eastern Visayas) has reported 68 new cases of human immunodeficiency virus infection and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) infection for the month of November 2015.

This figure is higher than the 54 new cases reported in October, according to Roderick Boyd Cerro, chief of the DOH regional epidemiology and surveillance unit.

Sixty-four of the 68 new cases are male.

Since 1984, Eastern Visayas has recorded more than 2,000 cases of HIV/AIDS. Common means of transmittal is through male to male sexual intercourse. 

The development prompted the DoH to establish satellite treatment hubs in every province to ensure that those with infection will have access to anti-retroviral drugs.

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“Anti-retroviral drugs are given free to those positive of HIV/AIDS. They do not need special hospitals to manage them. They can go to any hospital if they show any manifestation of the disease,” Cerro said.

He added that HIV/AIDS can only be transmitted through sexual intercourse an infected person, breastfeeding of mother with HIV, use of needle that was used by infected person, and blood transfusion.

Cerro encouraged those who have multiple sex partners to undergo HIV test, which could be done in hospitals throughout the region. Results of the test will remain confidential, he said.

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