How to protect yourself from HIV

According to the Department of Health (DOH), the Philippines has the fastest-growing Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) epidemic in Asia.

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) even said that there is a possibility for HIV cases in the country to reach up to 200,000 by the year 2025.

What's even more alarming is that young adults between ages 15 to 17 are also getting infected.

The Healthy Juan talks to Dr. Jose Belimac, the DOH's program manager for HIV and Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) about the current situation of HIV/AIDS in the country.

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“Tumataas ang bilang ng may HIV sa bansa kasi patuloy pa rin 'yung risky sexual practices o 'yung pakikipagtalik sa kahit sino na hindi gumamit ng condom,” said Dr. Belimac.

He further explained, “Ang 15 to 17 years old ay hindi kagaya nung mga adult counterparts nila, medyo mababa pa rin ang kanilang kamalayan tungkol sa kung paano iwasan ang HIV at AIDS. Mas mababa din 'yung kanilang paggamit ng mga condom.”

Younger victims

According to Dr. Belimac, a lot has changed since the passage of Republic Act No. 11166 otherwise known as the Philippine HIV and AIDS Policy Act that states minors are not allowed to submit to testing without the parent's consent.

“Ngayon...pwede nang i-test, 'yung mga ganitong edad. Ngayon, pinapayagan na po silang sumailalim ng HIV testing ng hindi nangangailangan ng consent ng kanilang mga magulang.”

Dr. Belimac also talked about how HIV is transmitted citing the following:

• through unprotected sex;
• use of a syringe contaminated by the virus, and
• organ or blood donations contaminated by the virus.

"Mas maganda, magpa-HIV test ka na... You should know your HIV status once and for all. Dapat, kung negative ka ngayon, you remain negative forever.”

Protect yourself

With the goal of curbing the growing number of HIV/AIDS, the DOH launched a campaign called the LHIVE FREE. It advocates to spread awareness and information about HIV to all Filipinos, particularly the youth.

“Ang LHIVE FREE campaign, ang layunin ay i-encourage 'yung mga may panganib sa HIV na sumailalim sa HIV testing. Kung alam nila ang kanilang HIV status, mas mapapangalagaan nila yung kanilang sarili,” Dr. Belimac said.

Moreover, victims of this lifelong condition can also turn to LoveYourself, a community of volunteers whose mission is to embrace and nurture self-worth. They also have a long list of celebrity advocates who use their voice to bring the stigma to an end.

IN PHOTOS: Celebrity HIV/AIDS awareness advocates

“Ang self-worth ang pinakamahalagang bagay para sa isang tao to subject themselves sa health services. Kapag mataas ang self-worth mo, hindi ka napupunta doon sa mga risky sexual behavior,” said Raybert Domingo, the communications head of LoveYourself.

To learn more about HIV and AIDS, watch this episode of The Healthy Juan: