The State of HIV/AIDS in the Philippines
According to data from the Department of Health, the number of new cases of HIV being reported in the Philippines is steadily on the rise. While the absolute number of cases in the Philippines is relatively small, HIV is rising at an alarming rate in the country.
Persons who are infected with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) may eventually develop AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome), a life threatening disease characterized by a weakened immune system.
They agreed that the HIV has spread in the Philippines largely because of the lack of public education about the virus. Because sex is a taboo topic in Filipino culture, experts speculate that the actual number of HIV cases in the Philippines may actually be higher than reported because people are too ashamed or afraid to come forward about having the infection.
[via GMA News]
(via pinoytumblr)
