18/12/2025
๐๐๐บ๐ฎ๐ป, ๐๐บ๐ฝ๐ผ๐ฟ๐๐ฎ๐ป๐? ๐ฉ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐: ๐๐๐ฉ ๐๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ป๐ฒ๐๐ ๐ฆ๐ฒ๐บ๐ถ๐ป๐ฎ๐ฟ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐๐ฎ๐บ๐ฝ๐ฎ๐ถ๐ด๐ป
HIV, or Human Immunodeficiency Virus, is a virus that attacks the bodyโs immune system. Without treatment, it can worsen and lead to AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome), which can take 2โ15 years depending on the individual. Moreover, once a person has the virus, they will carry it for the rest of their life. HIV weakens the CD4 cells, a type of white blood cell that is responsible for and crucial in fighting off infections. Notably, in 2024, 40.8 million people worldwide were infected with HIV, according to UNAIDS or the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS.
Furthermore, new HIV infections annually reach 1.3 million. In addition to that, 630,000 individuals died in the same year, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). In the past few months, HIV cases have been rising in Metro Manila, especially among the youth, at an alarming and fast-paced rate, with an average of 57 cases per day.
To address this issue, ICI Balagtas conducted a seminar on HIV awareness on December 12, 2025, at the Function Hall. It was proposed by Ms. Gabrielle Margarette Parico, the guidance counselor, and Nurse Leigh Ramirez, the school nurse and a teacher at the faculty of ICI Balagtas. Additionally, the seminar involved ICOLORS and SDI, as well as other students who were interested and wanted to gain knowledge and awareness of what HIV truly is.
Moreover, during the same seminar, ICOLORS created a meaningful film that focused on HIV and allowed the attendees to watch it so they could fully understand and be aware of what HIV is, especially during times like this when HIV cases are rising.
HIV is a disease that can spread through various means, including unprotected s*xual contact (oral, vaginal, and a**l), sharing of needles and syringes, transmission from mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding, and any situation where infected body fluids are present. It can infect anyone regardless of age, gender, and social status. Moreover, 45% of HIV cases are mostly from women, while 63% are from Sub-Saharan Africa. Additionally, 87% of people with HIV are fully aware that they have symptoms and are active carriers of the virus.
On the other hand, drastic preventive measures are being adopted thanks to modern medicine today. These measures include Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP), Antiretroviral Therapy (ART), condoms, and many more. Firstly, Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) is a medication for high-risk HIV-negative individuals to prevent infection. Secondly, Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) is an emergency treatment taken within 72 hours after potential exposure to the virus. Then, Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) is a combination of medicines used to treat HIV by stopping the virus from multiplying, keeping the immune system strong, and preventing transmission, allowing people with HIV to live long and healthy lives, although it does not completely cure the infection. Finally, the most well-known preventive measure among all of them is the use of condoms for protected s*x.
Ultimately, HIV may sound complicated, but being cautious and practicing preventive measures is all it takes to be protected from HIV itself. Conducting seminars and awareness campaigns is helpful, especially for the youth, as these enable them to gain knowledge and awareness about the virus. To conclude, HIV is something that no one wants to have; therefore, if you do not want it, always practice preventive measures. To be brief and as a reminder to all, prevention is better than cure.
Science Article by: Rivan Lance Dalisay
Layout by: Cassandra Gabriel
