Ernakulam district in Kerala is facing a significant public health challenge as it records the highest number of HIV cases in the state, with an alarming average of 23 new infections reported every month during the current fiscal year until October.
Sharp Increase in HIV Infections
The district has witnessed a concerning rise in HIV cases compared to the previous year. While Ernakulam reported an average of 18 new cases per month in 2022-23, the current fiscal year has seen this number jump to 23 monthly cases, indicating a worrying trend that requires immediate attention from health authorities and the community.
Primary Causes Behind the Surge
Health officials have identified several key factors driving this increase. The main reasons include rising unsafe sexual practices and intravenous drug use with subsequent needle sharing among users. Medical professionals in the district have observed that most new HIV cases are concentrated among individuals aged 20 to 40 years.
Doctors have noted another disturbing pattern where people who meet through dating apps often engage in sexual activity during their first in-person meeting without knowing their partner's background or health status. The risk-taking behavior of young adults and hesitation among partners to use condoms are significant contributors to the rising infection rates.
Social and Demographic Factors
Health authorities point to additional social factors exacerbating the situation. The migration of young people and working-class individuals to Ernakulam, combined with the presence of numerous private hospitals conducting tests, has contributed to the higher reported cases in the district.
A district doctor revealed concerning behavioral patterns: "When we talk to people diagnosed with HIV, some express deep distress about the infection and claim they engaged in sex accidentally. Others get infected because they don't use condoms while under the influence of alcohol or narcotic substances".
The doctor further explained that married couples in their 30s with multiple sex partners are contracting the infection through unprotected sex. Statistics show that the majority of HIV cases reported in Ernakulam are among males, with many infections occurring after encounters with strangers known only for a few days.
Understanding HIV and AIDS Progression
Medical professionals emphasize the crucial distinction between being HIV positive and developing AIDS. An HIV positive diagnosis means the virus is present in the blood, but this doesn't automatically mean the person has AIDS. Patients can reduce viral load through antiviral medications, maintaining a nutritious diet, and practicing safe sex by avoiding multiple partners.
AIDS develops only when the HIV virus load becomes high and the white blood cell count drops below 200, making the body vulnerable to multiple infections due to compromised immunity. This distinction highlights the importance of early detection and proper medical management to prevent progression to AIDS.
