The Philippine Online Chronicles

Health authorities on Friday expressed alarm over recent records showing that cases of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in the country is already “at an epidemic (level).”

Dr. Edcel Salvana, an associate professor of the College of Medicine in the University of the Philippines (UP) and head of Philippine General Hospital (PGH) Infectious Disease Department, said that rampant transmission of HIV has increased drastically. According to him, the country only recorded two cases in 1984 but the number climbed to 199 in 2004 and to 629 between 2007 and October 2009.

“The spread of HIV cases is rapidly accelerating. If the rate continues the country will have 20,000 confirmed cases by 2020, ” Philippine Star quoted Salvana.

He added that the statistics is not conclusive since there may be more Filipinos afflicted with HIV who have not disclosed their situation.

The United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) reported that since 2001, the number of new infections globally dropped by 17 percent but it was quite the opposite in the Philippines, where the infections increased by 334 percent.

However, aside from sex workers, gays, and drug addicts, the numbers also included young urban professionals, colloquially known as “yuppies,” who are more inclined to casual, if not unsafe, sex. Call center agents are among the “yuppies” to be likely engaging in non-romantic encounters, according to a study cited by Salvana and former Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) undersecretary Susan Ople. Salvana clarified, however, that the infection among call center agents does not translate to exclusivity in the work area “since the victims come from different sectors of the society.”

Dr. Katerina Leyritana said that the recent figures lean to the younger age bracket of 15- to 29-year-olds who are well-educated. Most are involved in group sex organized through social networking websites.

Dr. Eric Tayag of the Department of Health (DOH) Epidemiology Center said that the cases are on a “distressing trend in the past 20 years” and expects the number to rise more.

According to Tayag, HIV can spread in three ways: unprotected sex, mother-to-child transfer where 49 cases have been recorded, and unsanitary use of syringe needles.

Tayag reminded the public to practice abstinence and remain monogamous. Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz advised the youth to “take it slow, enrich their young lives, do not imitate the actions of more mature people.”

In 2009, a National Dissemination Forum was organized by UNAIDS for a “renewed call for intensified action and promotion of concerted targets and urgent efforts while avoiding stigma and discrimination in most at risk populations.” PGH is also set to conduct a widespread information dissemination to warn the public of the dangers of unsafe sex.