HIV patients can lead normal lives, say
IT is not the end of the world for
men and women diagnosed and found positive of Human Immuno Virus (HIV).
They can lead normal lives like anyone.
This was the assurance made by Dagupan Councilor Dennis Canto, chairman on
public health of the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) during the the KBP Forum
last week.
Reacting to City Health Officer Dr, Ophelia Rivera’s report during the same
forum that HIV cases in the city is beginning to be alarming, Canto assured
those living with HIV/AIDS that there is
still hope for them.
Canto said medication is available
to persons living with HIV to prevent it from progressing to Acute Immune
Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) or death.
He cited persons with HIV who are still till active and healthy by maintaining
a healthy lifestyle and take their medication religiously among them former
basketball star Magic Johnson of the Los Angeles Lakers, a confirmed HIV
positive.
Rivera said HIV patients are given anti-retroviral tablet for free that boosts
the patient’s immune system to protect them from infections. Designated
temporary treatment hub for HIV/AIDS patients in Pangasinan is the Region 1
Medical Center.
According CHO, the number of persons who volunteered to undergo HIV/AIDS tests at the City Health Office have increased from 174 in 2016 to 821 in 2018. (Only one was found positive or reactive of HIV in 2016, nine in 2017 and none in 2018).
Those found positive were sent to the National Epidemiological Center of the Department of Health in Manila with their identifies and records are kept confidential.
She pointed out that HIV can only be acquired through sexual contacts in whatever manner, blood transfusion and through breast feeding by an infected mother to her child.
Meanwhile, Rachel Zarate, a nurse at the Provincial Health Office, revealed that from 1984 to 2018, 680 persons were found positive of HIV in Pangasinan: 90 percent were male (25-34 years old), 10 percent were female. 93 percent of the males acquired their HIV through homosexual contact.
Zarate said HIV can only be acquired from four bodily fluids: blood, vaginal fluid, seminal fluid and breast milk from an infected mother.
Canto said he is drafting a proposed ordinance seeking to integrate HIV/AIDA Awareness program in the high school curriculum in the city. (Leonardo Micua)
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