The sexually active population should be tested for the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) periodically (at least twice a year), said the psychologist at the Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) clinic of the Ministry of Health in Chiriquí, Franklin Martinis.
Public health authorities at the international level and groups such as the Pro Well-being and Dignity Foundation for People Affected by HIV/AIDS, reiterate to the population the need to adopt responsible sexual behavior in order to avoid and prevent HIV.
“All sexually active people should be tested for HIV regularly and use condoms, even if they have a stable partner and trust in their fidelity,” Martinis said.
At the MINSA Chiriquí ART clinic, more than a thousand people are currently receiving therapy.
At the ART clinic in Chiriquí, between seven and 10 new cases of HIV are diagnosed each month; it is worth mentioning that for each HIV-positive case, another 10 people could be carriers of the virus.
When diagnosed and antiretroviral treatment is provided in a timely manner, a patient can lead a “normal” life; but he or she can be a carrier of HIV for years without having symptoms, increasing the risk of transmitting the virus to other people.
