Reports show drop in AIDS cases in Kerala, youth majority among 835 cases till September

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As per reports, the number of people affected by AIDS is decreasing in the state. Till September this year, 835 people have been affected by the disease. Earlier, 3000 people were affected by the disease every year.

A drop in the number of people dying from AIDS was also recorded. It is reported that cases of mother-to-child transmission have also decreased. Most of the newly infected are young people.

This is how the disease is transmitted

By having sex with infected people.

From infected pregnant women to babies.

By sharing syringes and needles among drug users.

By receiving the blood of an infected person.

Treatment

HIV infection can only be detected through a blood test. For this, Jyothis (ICTC) centres are functioning in all government hospitals. If diagnosed with HIV infection, they are transferred to USHAS (ART) centers for further treatment. Care Support Centers (CSCs) are there to provide follow-up services to infected patients registered and treated at ART centers. Pulari (STI) centers are also functioning in district hospitals to provide free treatment for sexually transmitted diseases.