HIV, the virus that
causes AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome continues to threaten the
health populations all around the world. Over 33 million all over the world are
now living with HIV. In spite of all efforts that the field of medical science
have been exerted after almost two decades, until now there is no known cure.
Exactly when HIV first
appeared is unknown. HIV is the virus that causes AIDS. Luc Montagnier, a
virologist and a long-time researcher at the Pasteur Institute in Paris,
France and Robert Gallo an American biomedical researcher of the National
Cancer Institute were the scientists behind the discovery and identification of
HIV. It appears to have begun in Central Africa, perhaps some time in the early
1970s. It spread rapidly throughout Zaire, Uganda, and other central African
nations, largely because its origins were not understood. A high rate of
extramarital sex, little condom use and a high rate of gonorrhea also
facilitated the spread of the HIV in the heterosexual population. From Africa,
the disease appears to have made its way slowly to Europe and to Haiti, from
Haiti into the United States.
The
HIV in the Philippines
It has been decades since the first
report of HIV cases in the world was done from the Western Hemisphere,
discovery of cases in the Southeast Asia has been a current event. Most alarmingly,
the number of HIV infections is expected to escalate to 30-40 million
infections by the end of this century. Experts now agree that most of these new
cases will occur in Asia and that the Asian epidemic will eventually surpass
the one that has been ravaging sub-Saharan Africa. Major epidemics already
exist in Thailand, Myanmar, and India, and have begun to emerge in Indonesia,
China, Taiwan, Singapore, and the Philippines.
The first case of AIDS in the
Philippine archipelago, diagnosed in 1984, was a male homosexual who had
acquired his infection abroad. Ten years later, 459 HIV-I infections have been
reported by the DOH, of which nearly 100 have been diagnosed as AIDS.
In the most recent years, an
increasing number of adults with HIV/AIDS has been recorded in the Philippines.
Based on the DOH’s Philippines HIV and AIDS Registry, the number of HIV cases
in the Philippines are now 1, 032 as of April of 2012. A total of 233 new cases
were reported within the month of April 2012 alone and eight of the 233 cases
were full-blown AIDS while there was one death caused by the disease last March
of 2012 that involved a 22-year-old male.
HIV
and AIDS
The viral agent is
a retrovirus the human immunodefieciency virus (HIV) and it attacks the immune
system, most notably the helper T-cells. The virus appears to be transmitted
exclusively by the exchange cell-containing bodily fluids, specially semen and
blood. The period between contracting the virus and developing symptoms of AIDS
is highly variable, with some individuals developing symptoms quite quickly and
others free of symptoms for as long as 8 to 9 years or more. Thus, a person may
test HIV seropositive (+) but be free of diagnosis of AIDS for years, perhaps
even decades, However, during that time, the person can pass the virus on to
others.
In many cases of HIV infection, the
virus grows very rapidly within the first few weeks of infection and spreads
throughout the body. At this point, the virus affects primarily two types of
immune cells, the helper T-cells and the macrophages. Early symptoms are
experienced at this time are mild, with swollen glands, and mild flu-like
symptoms, predominating. After 3 to 6 weeks, the infection may abate, leading
to a long asymptomatic period, during which viral growth is slow and
controlled. At this time the infection is likely to be transmitted to others.
The amount of virus typically rises gradually, eventually severely compromising
the immune system by killing the helper T cells and producing a vulnerability
to opportunistic infections that leads to the diagnosis of AIDS. Usually, AIDS
is diagnosed through the presence of an unusual opportunistic infection that
results from the impairment of the immune system.
Problems
of Social Acceptance, Stereotype and Prejudice
Stereotype,
discrimination and prejudice occur among persons with HIV worldwide, although
they show themselves differently across countries, communities, religious
groups and individuals. They occur alongside other forms of stigma and
discrimination, such as racism, prejudice, stigma based on physical appearance,
homophobia or misogyny.
Prejudice, stereotype
and discrimination do not only make it more difficult for them to accept their
condition but also interferes in their total well-being. It affects not only
their physical dimension but even the socio-emotional domains.
Thus, it is
noteworthy to explore, narrate and describe the lived experiences in regard to
social acceptance, prejudice and stereotype among persons with HIV. Providing
this new knowledge will strengthen and improve the quality of life. This will
also help them to comfortably reveal and unveil their condition to others and
to the society at large.
Due to the alarming number of new
cases of HIV not only in the Philippines but also in most parts of the world,
precautionary measures, educational campaigns and medical assistance were extended.
United Nations included the fight against HIV/AIDS as part of the Millennium
Development Goals (MDG) which aims to combat and to alleviate the number of
cases of HIV and AIDS by the year 2015 in those nations who took part and
signed during the year 2000.
Aside from physical symptoms, social
discrimination, stigma and prejudice were reported as one of the encountered
problems among people living with HIV. In one study conducted by Jonathan Mann,
founding director of the World Health Organization’s Programme for AIDS
identified three phases of the existence of the HIV/AIDS in the community; Phase 1, the epidemic of HIV infection enters
the community and silently and unnoticed and often develops over many years
without being widely perceived or understood; Phase 2, the epidemic of AIDS
itself, the syndrome of infectious diseases that can occur because of HIV
infection but typically a delay of a number of years; and Phase 3, the
epidemic, social, economic and political response to AIDS, described as the
most explosive, as reactions that have been characterized above all, by
exceptionally high above levels of stigma, discrimination and at times of
collective denial.
The same is true with the lived
experiences in persons with HIV in the Philippines. In 1997, Republic Act 8504,
was signed by former President Fidel V. Ramos, an act that promulgates,
policies and prescribing measures for the prevention and control of HIV/AIDS in
the Philippines. This act also protects the rights against discrimination and any
form among persons with HIV.
However, in spite of the existing
laws protecting persons with HIV problems in social acceptance, stereotype and
prejudice are still reported. Among the forms of discrimination are people
being tested without their knowledge, test results being leaked and infected
people being detained, quarantined and even forced to leave their homes. As a
result, many people hide the fact that they are infected or even avoid testing
outright, making it harder to prevent the spread of the disease.
Ignorance is still a real problem.
In 2009 a study conducted by the People Living with HIV Stigma Index found that
21% of the 867 participants had been verbally abused or harassed in the past 12
months because of their status; 12% had been physically assaulted. Last year a
Body & Soul questionnaire of more than 500 12- to 18-year-olds found that
despite increased awareness of HIV, there was a contradiction between
their knowledge and their behaviour. So although 81% of respondents knew
the virus could not be transmitted by sharing a cup, only 27% of them said
they would actually be willing to drink from the same cup as a person they knew
was HIV positive. Eleven per cent said they would not remain friends with
someone who has the virus.
HIV is not like a cancer, when
somebody got inflicted, one would get sympathy and support. But when a teenager
said he has an HIV, there’s so much prejudice that much still.
Oftentimes, HIV and AIDS negative
perceptions limit PLHIVs of living a productive and rewarding life. Despite
existing laws that protect their rights, stereotyping, prejudice and
discrimination are still apparent and lived. These deprived them of access to
work, education and even health services. They most of the time lost their jobs,
refused of employment, declined of promotion, denied of health and dental care,
family planning and reproductive health services. Thus, people who were
infected remain silent and chose not to disclose because of stigma and
discrimination, due privileges are then withdrawn. Quality of life then
diminished.
It’s
not the physical disease alone where people with HIV battling into, more
painful battle is going on outside. This is the fight against stigma and
discrimination. The fight to beg for compassion and consideration. But how can
they fight if they are vulnerable and defenseless? How can they fight the
social cruelty and hostility if they are not understood?
We cannot do anything anymore about
it for cure was deprived to them. That makes it more difficult to them. What
they are just asking for is the cure for their wounding heart. Acceptance and
love from their family and society, which they are also deprived of. They need
to receive the respect that is due of them. They need to be felt that they are
loved and wanted. This is the battle that they keep on fighting for, the battle
from the outside.
