According to philstar.com, Department of Health (DOH) regional office in Zamboanga, a four-year-old boy just registered with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), making him one of the youngest persons living with HIV in the country.
They believe it was transmitted through his parents.
DOH regional STI/AIDS program coordinator Clarisa Jose told PhilStar that he was listed as one of the nine patients who registered with HIV last October.
The young patient’s identity has been withheld.
The boy’s mother is deceased. Currently, the father is living with a partner with whom he has two kids.
READ: Signs and symptoms of HIV in children you may be missing
She told PhilStar that as compared to the 159 cases registered with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) since January to October this 2015, nine cases are already few.
But she goes on to reassure the public that the DOH is providing free medicine and are presently closely monitoring the boy along with other persons living with HIV of all ages.
Persons living with HIV are getting younger and younger.6,552 individuals have been diagnosed so far in 2015.
That’s why the DOH is working hard to raise awareness and so they will be able to attain a worthwhile quality of life.
images: dreamstime
READ: One case of HIV is reported every hour, says DOH
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