The Department of Health (DOH) is considering declaring a national public health emergency due to the alarming rise in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections.
DOH Secretary Ted Herbosa reported a 500 percent increase in HIV cases among individuals aged 15 to 25.
The youngest recorded case is a 12-year-old girl from Palawan, who contracted the virus through sexual contact.
Herbosa emphasized that the Philippines has the highest number of HIV cases in the Western Pacific Region, with most infections occurring among young people.
He warned that without immediate government intervention, the number of HIV cases in the country could reach 400,000.
The DOH attributes the surge in cases to the increased use of social media and dating apps, which have facilitated risky behaviors.
HIV Backgrounder: Understanding the Virus and Its Impact
HIV is a virus that attacks the body’s immune system, specifically targeting CD4 cells (T cells), which help fight infections.
If left untreated, HIV can lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), a condition where the immune system becomes severely weakened, making the body vulnerable to opportunistic infections and certain cancers.
HIV is primarily transmitted through unprotected sexual contact, sharing of needles, and from mother to child during childbirth or breastfeeding.
While there is no cure for HIV, antiretroviral therapy (ART) can effectively suppress the virus, allowing individuals to live healthy lives and reduce the risk of transmission.
The DOH urges the public to undergo regular HIV testing, practice safe sex, and seek early treatment to prevent further spread of the virus.