HIV infection still can’t be cured, but it can be treated. Earliest possible treatment preserves immune function, prevents infection and cancers, and prevents sexual transmission of HIV. Most HIV treatment guidelines now recommend treatment at the time of diagnosis.


Testing for HIV may be performed on blood samples either in clinics or with " home - sampling " kits.


At least 100,000 people are living with HIV in the UK ( over half heterosexual ; 2/5 gay or bisexual men ) ; perhaps a fifth may be undiagnosed.


Worldwide, about 40 million are living with HIV, less than half on treatment, with over a million AIDS-related deaths in 2014.


We’re well past the peak of the global HIV/AIDS epidemic, reached over a decade ago, because of success in prevention, diagnosis and treatment.


However, the Philippines has been struggling with what now appears to be the fastest growing epidemic in the world. For decades the country described its HIV epidemic as " low and slow ". To be fair, 6 years ago some health workers warned of an " impending epidemic " ready to emerge in the country - due to the lowest rates of condom use in South-East Asia ; growing rates of casual sex ; returning oversea Filipino workers from areas with high HIV rates ; widespread misconceptions about HIV/AIDS ; and high needle-sharing rates among injecting drug users.


This dire prediction seems to be coming true - a REAL increase, rather than apparent due to better diagnosis / reporting ( as I had previously suggested / hoped ).


Of 30,000 HIV infections recorded, most have been reported since 2010 ; usually by sexual contact, especially men who have sex with men ( MSM ) ; condom use by MSM may be only 40% ; also transgender women who have sex with men.


Several regions have HIV frequency among MSM and transgender women of over 5% - a " tipping point " beyond which the epidemic is likely to worsen. Increasingly young adults are being diagnosed.


Co-existing undiagnosed TB infection is another concern. Sexual health education is needed to correct misinformation about HIV, how it is spread, and who is at risk. Consistent condom use, and reduced sharing of needles ( if injecting drugs can’t be stopped ) would clearly help. At present, HIV testing for minors is prohibited without parental consent, and the Reproductive Health Law prohibits condoms and other contraceptives for minors.


Urgent action is needed, as the cost to individuals’ health and to the Philippines health budget is increasing alarmingly.