In

the

Philippines

historically has had a relatively low HIV rate, which

experts say is particularly surprising given that condom
use is discouraged by the powerful Philippines Catholic
church. Experts have argued for years over why the
Philippines rate is so low, with far less than 1% of the
countrys 95 million people believed to have HIV or AIDs,
and less than 350 new cases as recently as 2007.

But officials have seen an unexpected surge in

cases in the past several years, with a more than
five-fold
increase between 2007 and 2011, with 2,349 new
cases last year. The
total number of cases as of April 2012 is 9,396,
compared to just 3,061 in 2007. The Philippines is now recording seven new HIV
infections a day, versus one a day before 2007, making it one of only seven countries
worldwide where HIV infection rates continue to rise rapidly
Government epidemiologists have warned that by 2015, the total number of HIV cases in
the Philippines could reach 45,000 from the
reported 7,000 cases in 2011.
Risk Profile
Most-at-risk groups include men who have
sex with men (MSM), with 395 new human
immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections
among within this group from January to
September 2008 alone, 96% up from 2005s
210 reported infections. A spokesperson of
the National Epidemiology Center (NEC) of
the Department of Health says that the
sudden and steep increase in the number of
new cases within the MSM community,
particularly in the last three years (309 cases
in 2006, and 342 in 2007), is tremendously
in excess of what usually expected, allowing classification of the situation as an
epidemic". Of the cumulative total of 1,097 infected MSMs from 1984 to 2008, 49%
were reported in the last three years (72% asymptomatic); 108 have died when reported,
and slightly more MSMs were reportedly already with AIDS (28%).
Among MSM's, ninety percent of the newly infected are single (up to 35% of past cases
reported involved overseas Filipino workers or OFWs and/or their spouse), with the most
of the affected people now only 20 to 34 years old (from 45 to 49 years old in the past).
The highest number of infections among MSMs is from Metro Manila, though increasing
infection rates were also noted in the cities of Angeles, Cebu, and Davao. 1 to 3 percent
of MSM's were found to be HIV-positive by sentinel surveillance conducted in Cebu and
Quezon cities in 2001.
Several factors put the Philippines in danger of a broader HIV/AIDS epidemic. They
include increasing population mobility within and outside of the Philippine islands; a

conservative culture, adverse to publicly discussing issues of a sexual nature; rising

levels of sex work, casual sex, unsafe sex, and injecting drug use.
There is also high STI prevalence and poor health-seeking behaviors among at-risk
groups; gender inequality; weak integration of HIV/AIDS responses in local government
activities; shortcomings in prevention campaigns; inadequate social and behavioral
research and monitoring; and the persistence of stigma and discrimination, which results
in the relative invisibility of PLWHA. Lack of knowledge about HIV among the Filipino
population is troubling. Approximately two-thirds of young women lack comprehensive
knowledge on HIV transmission, and 90 percent of the population of reproductive age
believe you can contract HIV by sharing a meal with someone.
The Philippines has high tuberculosis (TB) incidence, with 131 new cases per 100,000
people in 2005, according to the World Health Organization. HIV infects 0.1 percent of
adults with TB. Although HIV-TB co-infection is low, the high incidence of TB indicates
that co-infections could complicate treatment and care for both diseases in the future
National Response
Wary of nearby Thailands growing epidemic in the late 1980s, the Philippines was quick
to recognize its own sociocultural risks and vulnerabilities to HIV/AIDS. Early responses
included the 1992 creation of the Philippine National AIDS Council (PNAC), the countrys
highest HIV/AIDS policymaking body. Members of the Council represent 17 governmental
agencies, including local governments and the two houses of the legislature; seven
nongovernmental organizations (NGOs); and an association of PLWHA.
The passing of the Philippine AIDS Prevention and Control Act in 1998 was also a
landmark in the countrys fight against HIV/AIDS. However, the Philippines is faced with
the challenge of stimulating government leadership action in a low-HIV-prevalence
country to advocate for a stronger and sustainable response to AIDS when faced with
other competing priorities. One strategy has been to prevent STIs in general, which are
highly prevalent in the country.
The PNAC developed the Philippines AIDS Medium Term Plan: 20052010 (AMTP IV). The
AMTP IV serves as a national road map toward universal access to prevention, treatment,
care, and support, outlining country-specific targets, opportunities, and obstacles along
the way, as well as culturally appropriate strategies to address them. In 2006, the
country established a national monitoring and evaluation system, which was tested in
nine sites and is being expanded. Antiretroviral treatment is available free of charge, but
only 10 percent of HIV-infected women and men were receiving it as of 2006, according
to UNAIDS.
The Government of the Philippines participates in international responses to the HIV/AIDS
epidemic. Most recently, in January 2007, the Philippines hosted the 12th Association of
Southeast Asian Nations Summit, which had a special session on HIV/AIDS.
The Philippines is a recipient of three grants from the Global Fund to Fight AIDS,
Tuberculosis and Malaria (2004 third round, 2006 fifth round, and 2007 sixth round) to
scale up the national response to HIV/AIDS through the delivery of services and
information to at-risk populations and PLWHA.

What is HIV and AIDS?

HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. It is a retrovirus that causes

HIV infection. Its entrance into the body lowers the immunity (body defense system) or
the ability to fight off disease.

HIV Infection is the successful entry of HIV in the human host, weakening the
immune system and leading to a spectrum of diseases.

AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. It is a condition

characterized by a combination of signs and symptoms, caused by HIV contracted from
another which attacks and weakens the bodys immune system, making the afflicted
individual susceptible to other life threatening infection.
How does HIV attack the immune system?

1.
The human body is protected by the White Blood Cells in the immune system.
2.
White Blood Cells in the immune system fight disease and germs for your body.
3.
Strong diseases make the body sick, but the white blood cells usually win in the
end.
4.
HIV is a VERY strong germ that attacks the White Blood Cells themselves,
weakening the body's defenses against diseases and makes the body vulnerable to
potentially life-threatening infections and cancers. HIV then uses human cells to
manufacture more of the virus, eventually killing the host & nearby cells and overwhelms
the immune system.
5.
After a very long struggle lasting years, HIV kills most of the immune system's
White Blood Cells, leaving the body unprotected.
6.
Many other (secondary) diseases attack (bringing about the condition of AIDS) and
eventually kill the body.
Solid Facts on HIV and AIDS
HIV is transmitted by:

having unprotected sexual intercourse , anal or oral), with someone who is HIV
positive. Unprotected, penetrative sex accounts for 80% of total exposures to the
disease worldwide;

having a transfusion with infected blood;

sharing syringes and needles with someone who is HIV positive for drugs and
tattoos or other skin
piercing tools such as razor blades and surgical instruments forcircumcision or
scarification.

mothers to their unborn babies and through breastfeeding.

HIV is NOT transmitted through:

Kissing

Casual contacts or handshakes

Sharing living quarters, eating or drinking with an infected person

Mosquitoes and bed bugs.

HIV is transmitted through the following body fluids:

Blood
Semen
Vaginal/Cervical Fluids
Breastmilk

Stages of the HIV Disease

Stage I: PRIMARY INFECTION

The patient starts experiencing flulike symptoms

Stage II: ASYMPTOMATIC ILLNESS

The patient may remain well for

years

Stage III: SYMPTOMATIC ILLNESS

The patient experiences mild

symptoms such as lack of energy, nights sweats, etc

Stage IV: ADVANCED DISEASES (AIDS)

The patient experiences opportunistic infections from bacterial,

mycobacterial, fungal, protozoal, viral and malignant sources that can cause any of the
following:

Swollen glands

Mouth infections

Brain infections

Skin diseases

Lung diseases

Loss of weight
HIV Detection and Testing
HIV can be detected through the following tests:

Antibody test - an indirect test measures the response

of ones body to the presence of HIV

Antigen test - a test that directly measures the virus

HIV Testing is voluntary, confidential and anonymous, with
pre and post-test counseling. The window period for testing
is 6 months from the last exposure with HIV.

There is NO vaccine and NO cure for HIV. Anti-retroviral medication (ARVs) may only
slow down the replication of the virus.
The A-B-C-D-E of AIDS Prevention

A - Abstinence

B - Be faithful (having a mutual monogamous relationship)

C - Careful Sex (No exchange of body fluids)

D - Dont share needles/ sterilized needles

E - Education and Information