HIV-AIDS in PHL at record-high 748 cases last May; 2015 tally exceeds 3k

The number of new cases of HIV-AIDS in the Philippines this year rose to over 3,000 when latest government data as of May showed the monthly tally hit 748—the highest recorded since 1984 and a 51 percent jump from the same month in 2014.

 

GMA News' Mariz Umali reported on Thursday that details of the record-high HIV tally show 83 percent of the new cases involve patients aged 15 to 34 years old. 

 

Of the 748, 717 are males. Department of Health spokesman Dr. Lyndon Lee Suy said unprotected sex between males is the top mode of transmission.


 

Source: DOH

 

Twenty-eight percent of the 748 patients are aged 15 to 24 while 55 percent are aged 25 to 34.

 

Fifty-six OFWs are among those diagnosed as HIV-infected.

 

Some 273 new cases were reported to be in Metro Manila.

 

Full-blown AIDS cases this year as of May totaled 41 and 21 of them have died.


 

 

An AIDS patient Mariz Umali interviewed asked the public to treat humanely those with AIDS and HIV.

He first had acute pneumonia in June 2012 and then just four months after, doctors said he developed full-blown AIDS. The AIDS patient said a support group has helped him cope with the disease and its impact on his life.

 

The Philippine National AIDS Council said on its website that nationwide there are various “social hygiene clinics and treatment hubs" where those who suspect they may have AIDS can be tested and given counseling. — Earl Victor Rosero/LBG, GMA News