HIV - AIDS


HIV / AIDS


For more discussion about Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) and HIV AIDS...Click on this link

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) was first detected early 1980’s.  There are now 40 million people worldwide infected by this slow  but deadly virus.  The origin of AIDS still remains a mystery.  Some say it was contracted from animals.

AIDS / HIV virus could be found in human fluids.  Concentrated amounts of the virus are found in the Blood and Semen.  There are some traces  found in the saliva and sweat but is said to be negligible.

One could get AIDS-HIV through the following :
  • Blood transfusion from an infected person. (blood to blood contact)
  • Drug addicts sharing needles. (blood to blood contact)
  • Blood contact from an open wound / sore / mouth sores. (blood to blood contact)
  • Exchange of bodily fluids through sex. (Anal, Oral and Penile/Vaginal penetration)
AIDS could only be detected through medical lab tests, six (6) months after in contact with an infected person.  Therefore within those six months you are clueless of your situation.  You might or might not have the virus.  Symptoms start to appear only after a year or more being infected. 
 
HIV-AIDS in Cagayan de Oro City 

In past years, there has been a sudden increase of HIV-AIDS cases in the Philippines, most of which was through male-to-male sex.  The Department of Health has already declared an AIDS epidemic outbreak in the Philippines including Cagayan de Oro City.

For the first time in decades, the HIV-AIDS case in Cagayan de Oro City has reached double digits.  Here are the full statistics in the past years : 
2008 - 6 cases
2009 - 9 cases
2010 - 14 cases
2011 - 27 cases

Based on the statistics, the rate of the viral infection is at Fifty (50) percent annually.  If we follow this trend, in 2012, the HIV-AIDS cases in the city will reach close to 55 and by 2013 there will be over a 100 people in CDO with HIV-AIDS.

If you are from Cagayan de Oro City, call the AIDS Hotline number (8822-area code) 72-1189.  This is a service by the City Health Office of Cagayan  de Oro.  They will entertain your questions without malice.  If they do insult or embarrass you in anyway, call the attention of the City Health Officers and report such incident.  These people are supposed to assist you in anyway.



Hepatitis
According to a Health Study, 1 out of 7 Filipinos is infected with the Hepatitis virus and most are not aware of the infection.

Hepatitis is a group of viruses (Hepatitis A, B, C) that specifically targets the liver.  Fortunately the virus is curable in the early stages and vaccines are available.

It can be transmitted through human contact (sharing personal items, blood exposure and sexual acts), food and water contamination.
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