Surabaya (beritajatim.com) – HIV and AIDS cases in Indonesia, especially in Surabaya, are increasing again. Between January and October 2024, 243 active cases were registered in Surabaya, with the majority of patients of productive age.
Airlangga University (Unair) Immunology and Microbiology expert Dr. Agung Dwi Wahyu Widodo said that the use of drugs and free sex are the main factors in the spread of HIV / AIDS among the productive age group.
According to him, the use of shared injection needles by drug users and illicit sexual behavior are the two main routes of transmission.
“One of the factors is the spread by drug users (drug use) which is transmitted through needle injection. “In addition, it can also spread through free sexual behavior,” Agung said in his statement, Wednesday (13/11/2024).
He explained that HIV-1, the most common type of virus found, is highly contagious. This virus attacks the CD4 cells in the immune system, which makes the body more susceptible to infection.
In addition, the HIV virus can move, which makes it easier to spread even under different conditions. “This is not so important and it shows a very dangerous spreading process among productive age groups,” he said.
To address the spike in HIV/AIDS cases, Agung suggested that prevention begins with proper education on how to prevent the spread of HIV. He also praised the ABC campaign, which included:
1. Steadfastness (abstaining from sex before marriage),
2. Be Loyal (faithful to your partner), and
3. Condom (using a condom to prevent transmission).
Agung emphasized that this campaign is not to promote free sex, but to educate about the importance of protection in sexual relationships. [ipl/suf]
2024-11-13 14:58:00
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