Dr. Wellaflor Kindom-Brito, Infectious Disease Cluster Head in DOH Northern Mindanao region. (PNA photo by Nef Luczon)
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – There should be no hindrance for persons living with the human immunodeficiency virus - acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV-AIDS) to start families provided they are consistent with their treatments, the Department of Health - Northern Mindanao (DOH-10) said Friday.
Dr. Wellaflor Kindom-Brito, DOH-10 infectious disease cluster head, said while the virus has no cure yet, modern treatment can reduce the risk of transmission.
"It's in the viral load (of HIV). If the load is low that it has become undetectable in the (blood screening) machine, people living with HIV can no longer infect others," Brito said during a press conference here in line with World Aids Day.
Brito said people with HIV-AIDS that have low viral loads can still form families without infecting their partners and children, as long as treatments such as antiretroviral drugs are taken.
She emphasized the importance of testing and the availability of medications in the region's five treatment hubs stationed in public health facilities.
"What they (people with HIV) can't do is donate blood because the virus is still there even if the viral load is still low," Brito said.
From January to August, DOH-10 recorded 436 cases of HIV-AIDS recorded in the region. (PNA)
