A person infected with HIV has always been ostracized in a society with a conservative nature like the Philippines.
The stigma has been attributed to a lack of knowledge regarding the virus.
HIV is a virus that when developed, weakens the immune system. This causes the recipient of the virus to be susceptible to infections and opportunistic diseases, especially in its latent stages.
People often presume that A Person Living with HIV (PLHIV) is an object that would compromise their health. They believe that HIV can be transmitted via saliva and/or physical contact. This is false.
In fact, According to Lester Sibungay, an HIV counselor at Bale Angeleño, the saliva contains a minute amount of the virus and thus, it would take about 8 gallons of saliva for an HIV positive person to infect another. This makes it virtually impossible for saliva to be a conduit for HIV to perpetuate. Sharing of food, kissing, or being sneezed upon by a PLHIV will not bring you harm in any means.
The virus is not as resilient as one may think. There are multiple factors for the virus to survive: It needs a living host, a point of entrance, and an adequate amount of the virus. When exposed to air, moisture, and acidity, the virus dies– yes, HIV is not an airborne disease.
There are only a few substances that are potent enough for the virus to transfer to another person: breastmilk, vaginal fluids, anal fluids, semen, and blood.
Having unprotected sex, sharing of needles, drug abuse, and a lack of knowledge regarding one’s HIV status increase the chance of spreading this evil disease.
As such, it is a basic social responsibility to get tested for HIV and to know one’s status. There are little to no excuse to deviate from such a societal duty; being tested for HIV requires no money, just a minute amount of blood. Within Angeles City, Pampanga, one can visit Bale Angeleño, or Juan Positive Movement, which is located at Balibago and Dau respectively, to have themselves tested for free.
In both these places, you will be counselled before and after the test regarding the background of HIV, the staffs are well trained to calm and pacify their patients. You may also have to fill up a questionnaire before undergoing the test. The results of the HIV test shall be told via word of mouth and would be kept confidential from everyone else.
Because of the stigma and shame that people impose upon others, some people are terrified at the notion of coming forward to get tested, terrified of the idea of knowing their status. However, this abhorrence must be removed altogether in order to combat the bigger threat. We are not each other’s enemies.
Through the kind grace of the government and the advocates who raised awareness, one can get free treatment from the government. This treatment is akin to a maintenance system in which PLHIV must take every day in order to boost their immune system.
The PLHIV still have their whole life ahead of them; HIV is no longer a death sentence. There is still hope. –Renz Christian Sta Maria / AUF Intern