Jammu & Kashmir is seeing an increase in HIV AIDS incidence as each year goes by. As of June 2023, 6,158 people have tested positive in the union territory.
According to a representative, 3,478 HIV-positive people are now receiving anti-retroviral therapy (ART), while 1,400 have already passed away. He reported that 547 patients had stopped receiving follow-up.
He said that GMC Jammu had received 5,060 reports of HIV patients, of which 1,228 had passed away, 503 had abandoned follow-up, and 2718 were receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART).
Similar to this, SKIMS Srinagar has 746 patients enrolled in HIV care, of whom 148 have passed away, 32 have stopped being followed up on, and 448 are receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART), he noted.
There are 352 patients enrolled in HIV care at ART Kuthua, of whom 24 have passed away, 12 have stopped receiving follow-up treatment, and 312 are receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART).
The majority of individuals aren’t requesting HIV testing because of societal stigma, according to the authorities, and there has been an upward trend in the number of patients affected over time.
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the common and possibly fatal illness known as acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). HIV interferes with your body’s capacity to fight sickness and infection by weakening your immune system.
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) include HIV. Additionally, it may be transmitted by shared needle use, contact with contaminated blood, or from mother to kid when she is pregnant, giving birth, or nursing. Without treatment, it can take years for HIV to progressively impair your immune system to the point where you get AIDS.
According to officials, having AIDS “unfortunately” frequently results in a stigma in society, making those who have it more vulnerable to exclusion, rejection, and discrimination.
They said that since J-K is a popular tourist site, there is a higher risk of HIV and AIDS there.
The majority of patients in J&K who have tested positive for HIV AIDS did so outside of the UT.
Drug users are more likely to get HIV/AIDS, and if they are married or engaged in sexual activity, they may also spread the disease to their partners.(KNO)
