Despite ongoing campaigns for HIV and AIDS prevention, there are still taboos regarding the topic, and this is more common among men. “According to the National Center for Epidemiology, Prevention and Control (CDC), male gender is the predominant category in the number of HIV carrier cases. However, we must not leave aside the fact that the female sexual pool is currently increasing.” Oscar Vera, a doctor specializing in infectious diseases and tropical medicine at El Carmen Hospital, said.
Within the framework of World AIDS Day, the Ministry of Health reported that during the period from January to June 2024, a total of 6,656 new cases of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) patients and 1,081 new cases of patients who had reached the stage of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) were recorded.
Based on information from the Ministry of Health, the Junín region is in the second group of regions with the highest HIV rate, with 203 cases, with Lima (2,670) topping the list, followed by Amazonas (422) and Loreto (378).
On the other hand, in the past six years, Junin was found to be the third region with the highest number of AIDS cases nationwide, with a total of 476 patients. The Lima region also tops this list with an alarming number of 3,970 patients, followed by the La Libertad region, which records 499 cases.
Stages:
Oscar Vera explains that there are three main stages that clearly appear in the patient.
The first, called acute retroviral syndrome, causes cold, liquid stools, and in some cases patients experience swollen glands. These symptoms usually last between one to two weeks and disappear.
The second stage, known as the window period, is when the virus hides in other organs and stops giving clinical manifestations.
This period can last between 2 to 15 years, and the patient lives with the virus without realizing it.
The final stage, AIDS, leaves the immune system with its defenses destroyed by the virus and is exploited by opportunistic diseases (tuberculosis, pneumonia, oral thrush, skin infections).
“These types of diseases can be fatal for a patient with AIDS, which is why it is recommended to have a screening test at least once a year.” The infectious disease specialist added
There are no infections due to pregnancy
In the Carmen Hospital, in 2023, 12 pregnant women carrying the virus were treated, and in the first half of 2024 there were about 10 pregnant women with the aforementioned diagnosis.
According to the specialist, none of the children born in these cases were contagious from their mothers. This is due to the strict treatment and monitoring provided by various specialists.
Treatment
Previously, patients had to take 3 tablets, but this number has now been reduced to just one tablet. Currently, the medication that HIV patients take is a single pill that contains all three drugs together and must be a daily dose, making treatment more feasible to comply with.
Infectious disease specialist Oscar Vera confirmed that patients who follow the treatment to the letter can return to their lives normally.
“It gives a guarantee that over a period of 6 months on average, the patient can become undetectable; That is, he no longer transmits the infection to his partner or his offspring.”He pointed out.
The correct use of condoms is essential for HIV prevention, and El Carmen Hospital has an orientation area for couples or single people who seek guidance and guidance on the prevention of all sexually transmitted diseases and the correct use of condoms.
This is the Office of the National Health Strategy for the Prevention and Control of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), HIV and AIDS (ESNITSS), which can be visited without the need for an appointment.
(tags for translation) Junin
