MANILA, Philippines - A total of 278 new human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) cases were diagnosed in the country in July, up 36 percent compared to the 204 reported in the same month of 2011, a member of Congress said Wednesday. Citing National Epidemiology Center statistics, LPG-MA Rep. Arnel Ty said the new infections brought to 1,878 the cumulative number of new HIV cases discovered in the seven months to July.  Ty said the Philippine HIV and AIDS Registry, which began passive surveillance of the disease in 1984, now lists an aggregate of 10,242 cases, including 1,078 with full-blown AIDS. HIV causes AIDS, or the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. The disease that destroys...

WASHINGTON DC - A new pill to treat HIV infection -- combining two previously approved drugs plus two new ones -- has been approved for adults living with the virus that causes AIDS, US regulators said Monday. The single daily dose of Stribild provides a complete treatment regimen for HIV infection, the US Food and Drug Administration said in a statement. "Through continued research and drug development, treatment for those infected with HIV has evolved from multi-pill regimens to single-pill regimens," said Edward Cox, director of the Office of Antimicrobial Products in the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. "New combination HIV drugs like Stribild help simplify treatment regimens." The...

Newly Diagnosed HIV Cases in the Philippines In July 2012, there were 278 new HIV Ab sero-positive individuals confirmed by the STD/AIDS Cooperative Central Laboratory (SACCL) and reported to the HIV and AIDS Registry. This was 36% higher compared to the same period last year. Most of the cases (95%) were males. The median age was 27 years (age range: 15-70 years). The 20-29 year (58%) age-group had the most number of cases. Fifty-two percent (144) of the reported cases were from the National Capital Region (NCR). Reported modes of transmission were sexual contact (262) and needle sharing among injecting drug users (16). Males having sex with other males (85%) were the...

Since the first recording of AIDS in the early 1980s, one would expect that more people would become aware of the disease, and at the same time, would take safety precautions with their actions. Numerous ad campaigns have been launched here and abroad in an attempt raise awareness regarding HIV/AIDS. But how effective were these campaigns? Some of these ads have even received mixed reviews. From being controversial to being way over the top, what's your take on these ads? AIDS makes us equal. This French campaign stands out since most people are big fans of superheroes. It's easily noticeable, and a true attention-grabber. The message conveys that HIV/AIDS makes us all equal....

For those who missed the episode of Bawal ang Pasaway last Wednesday, August 22 (I did, unfortunately), I attached here a segment of the episode which I found at the website of GMA. The guests of Prof. Solita Monsod include Wanggo Gallaga, HIV positive and writer for the Philippine Star, and Philip Castro, program officer of the United Nations Development Program. Mareng Winnie: "You know na ikaw ay kandidato for AIDS only because you know your own sexual behavior." Personal Note: I always feel sad every time I see interviews about HIV such as this one. Mareng Winnie even said, "How can someone as intelligent and as knowledgeable as Wanggo contract AIDS?" In my family, humility aside,...

Immortal Body, Immortal Pain Marvin: One of my beloved artworks I created. I offer it to all those who feel depressed and burdened with life. Suicide seems like a viable and only option but then, it never is. This is an artwork to express that terrible loneliness. Immuno-compromised I have sores all over me: They scar my fragile surface Like constellations Spanning the universe Of my feeble flesh. I gasp and sigh. I hear the delirious Whispers from my thighs. These are not moans But the sole sounds of my bones Breaking into mourning. Maybe I should be glad That something still feeds on me. I want this love to die But...

More than three years ago, I chanced upon a young man on a gay social networking site, guys4men. Although normal conversation between users in that site involves sex and meet-ups, we talked more than that. He was into literature: short stories and poems. His enthusiasm in these forms of art reminded me of an ex-boyfriend, which made me like him. His name is Marvin. We sometimes chat over YM, and have exchanged friendster accounts. However, our communication halted, probably because he was busy with his studies, and I, with work. We eventually forgot about each other’s existence. April of this year, after I was diagnosed with HIV, I stumbled upon people living with HIV in...

This happened last July 2012, and have been posted on numerous sites over the Internet. It is worthy to be re-posted to keep us informed that this new kind of cyber-bullying exists, and must be stopped. We must also be cautious of the information we share/re-post in our social networking accounts especially if the contents are sensitive in nature. And much worse, if the information and/or accusation being shared and passed on is unverified. I contacted the victim, Mr. Raymond J. Malinay-Lopez, through facebook and I was given permission to post the video that he made regarding the issue. Here is an excerpt taken on the facebook account of Mr. Malinay-Lopez:      It does...

Researchers have identified a mysterious new disease that has left scores of people in Asia and some in the United States with AIDS-like symptoms even though they are not infected with HIV. The patients' immune systems become damaged, leaving them unable to fend off germs as healthy people do. What triggers this is not known, but the disease does not seem to be contagious. This is another kind of acquired immune deficiency that is not inherited and  occurs in adults, but doesn't spread the way AIDS does through a virus, said Dr. Sarah Browne, a scientist at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Scientists at the National Institutes of Health led a study in Thailand...

A great percentage of people do not know that they have already been infected by HIV. An infected individual can feel, look, and act healthy just like a non-HIV positive individual. And just like any person, he can have common symptoms of infection such as flu, cough, fever, and sore throat, but still, do not think that it can already be HIV. The only way to know your status is through an HIV test. Here is a list of places where you can for HIV testing. Normally, they provide the test for free. LUZON Angeles Social Hygiene Clinic Dr. Lucielle Ayuyao - Social Hygiene Clinic Physician 1-20 Cristina Drive, Villa Teresa Subd., Angeles City (045) 3222979 / (0915) 987-2100 ...