Jalisco reports an increase on HIV detections

June 21, 2019

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In recent days it was announced that the detection of HIV in Jalisco during the last 4 years has increased twice more, that is 200 percent. In 2015 there was a total of 270 cases, while in 2018 there was a total of 479, according to the information from the Health Secretary of Jalisco. In Out & About PV we wanted to know if this numbers are a matter to alert the population of Puerto Vallarta, Solidaridad Ed Thomas Civil Association’s Executive Director Francisco Arjona gave us more information on this subject.

SETAC team explained that they are detecting more and more cases every day. “If the number of detections increases, it does not mean that there is an increase in the number of people who acquire HIV, but those who already live with HIV for a long time are being found.” They also added that in order to find the new cases, it would be necessary to identify how many tests are being carried out annually and from those tests, what percentage are reactive.

There is a greater openness on the part of the population to approach and perform tests in their health centers and in our Wellness Center, the demand has grown and that makes earlier diagnoses compared to 10 years ago when people did not know about where to take a test, we did not have the reach we have now thanks to the speed and effectiveness of the regular rapid tests and the 4th Generation tests that decrease the waiting time to know the status of a person.

“The important thing is to know how many of the people who are being detected are under treatment. There is a large number of people with HIV and they do not know it, then there is a smaller number of people living with HIV who know they are living with it, and in the third block is the group of people living with HIV who know it and that are also under treatmen. In the last block (the smallest) there is the people who are undetectable thanks to the treatment, carrying their amount of virus in their blood at a very low level, which can hardly be counted, therefore and according to many studies around the world, people with an undetectable virus level do not transmit the virus and also have a very strong immune system to avoid reaching the AIDS stage, the goal of ONUSIDA worldwide is that the number of undetectable people should almost equal the number of people living with HIV. “The organization said that this phenomenon is called HIV cascade.

Some of the measures that SETAC is taking in terms of prevention are the following: “We do services in a comprehensive manner: it is not enough to just do the test, then comes the accompaniment and the canalization, until we make sure that the person will initiate an immediate medical treatment once they receive a reactive result. This is done with anyone of any nationality. We offer the information and advice according to their situation and the institution that corresponds to them. We always suggest to keep in contact with SETAC for any doubt, additional information and even psychological support or self-support group.

In addition to these methods, SETAC also talks about PREP: “We are sure that indirectly, PREP reduces HIV cases according to the dynamics and practices of the people who are interested in this method. There is a lot of interest from the population regarding the PREP, about the requirements and benefits. However, SETAC does not stop promoting the use of the condom even when they are taking PREP”

Go to “Your Community Center” in Aldanaca 178-4A and 4B, Col. Versalles or make your appointment from Monday to Friday from 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm and Saturdays from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm at tel ( 322) 224 1974 or to the email contacto@setac.com.mx

You can also go to the SETAC Wellness Center Zona Romantica at Lázaro Cárdenas 379, Col. Emiliano Zapata, or make an appointment from Monday to Friday from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm and Saturdays from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm to tel (322) 224 1974 or to the email contacto@setac.com.mx

Esta publicación también está disponible en: English Español