HIV cases on a high in Scotland
January, 24
The number of HIV patients in Scotland are increasing at a great pace, it was noticed that last year the figures were quite higher than the last years. The figures released by the Health Protection Scotland (HPS) showed that during 2007 about 446 such HIV cases were reported, while in 2006 only 345 cases were there on record. This clearly shows how the HIV cases are on a high these days, even reports is there that the rise in heterosexual infections too is adding to the figures.
The reports and studies conducted have also highlighted the fact that the main cause of the transmission of this HIV is through sexual activities and only a few cases are reported by injecting drugs. Well if we look to the actual figures it tells that in 2007 188 HIV cases were reported in gay men and another 181 cases in heterosexual men and women. All these figures were far more than the previous year which is hinting toward a growing concern to control this upward trend.
To make sure people get the message of having safe sex and also to motivate people to come forward and go for HIV test, steps are taken. But then also about 5415 people are still living in Scotland with HIV. Glenn Codere, from HPS said these growing cases are a mix bag of positives and negatives, as on one hand we have the lowest number of HIV cases reported in drug users, but on other hand we have the highest number of cases at a whole. People need to understand the need for having safe sex to avoid risking their and their partners life from getting affected from HIV.
There need some concrete steps so that more and more people stand up and get tested for HIV and also should have enough knowledge about safe sex. Now to make the situation under control there is massive need to spread the message of safe sex and taking this seriously to get examined for HIV.