The pandemic has seen a troubling rise in HIV infections in the Philippines. Especially during the stricter periods of lockdown, many people diagnosed with HIV had poor access to their medications. The patients couldn’t get out of their homes because of their immune status and sometimes, the medicine deliveries were also hampered.
According to the Department of Health (DOH), 21 new cases of HIV are diagnosed every day. Nine out of 10 patients are males, most of whom are men who have sex with men (MSM). Other ways a patient may get HIV is through injection, drug use, or blood transfusion from contaminated blood products. Early diagnosis and treatment can lead to long and relatively healthy lives for people living with HIV (PLHIV).
However, some patients are not so lucky. Those who are more likely to engage in unprotected sex with many partners may feel invincible. Some of them are not responsible enough to get tested or may not be aware that they should. Fear of being judged by society is also a reason for not getting tested. The spread of HIV infection is also aggravated by poverty, gender inequality, marginalization and ignorance.
Some patients find out too late. Complications start setting in, prompting a check up. The lowered immune response of patients with HIV and AIDS make them susceptible to bacteria, viruses and other pathogens that normally will not affect healthy people. The eye for one can host a cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection. Without instituting highly active antiretroviral treatment (HAART), CMV can cause destruction in retinal tissue which ultimately leads to vision loss. HAART saves sight but it is not without side effects. Some patients develop an inflammatory response to the viral remnants, or immune-related uveitis (IRU), which can also cause severe blurring of vision. A delicate balance of treatment is needed to prevent these eye conditions.
Among patients whose HIV is controlled and immune status has been restored, they can develop age-related eye conditions earlier. Diabetic retinopathy, cataracts and macular edema, illnesses that are more common in seniors, can manifest in 30-year old patients. Blood vessels of the eye are much smaller than the rest of the body and they are at risk for HIV microvasculopathy. This is when stroke-like events happen in the eye: visual field loss, loss of color vision, and loss of contrast sensitivity.
How can we prevent these complications from happening? Definitely the number one thing we should all do is practise safe sex. For those who lead sexually active lives, aside from protection, it is important to undergo regular testing for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Some may not show symptoms of infection right away. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment can save lives and stop the spread. If treatment has been started, regular follow-ups with your doctor should be done. Make sure to take your medications without fail because poor compliance can cause drug resistance, leading to more difficulty in controlling HIV.
