A high proportion of Panamanians suffering from this disease are infected between the ages of 20 and 34 and also suffer from opportunistic infections, which take advantage of a weakened immune system, such as tuberculosis, candidiasis, and histoplasmosis, which impairs the effectiveness of the treatment.
The head of the STI/HIV-AIDS section of the Minsa, Carlos Chávez, reminded the population that any sexually active person, regardless of age, should get tested at least once a year to rule out or confirm the disease in a timely manner, as it presents no symptoms.
The report, prepared by the Social Energy Generation Plant, with the support of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), IntraHealth International, and the Ministry of Health (Minsa), states that indigenous people, in most cases, resist testing and medication because they believe the disease comes from 'spells or curses'; they do not perceive it as a medical issue but as a spiritual one.
A favorable diagnosis is especially important for women who wish to become mothers, as they will not transmit the disease to the fetus.
This is compounded by a lack of infrastructure, resources, and medical supplies, as well as the intervention of third parties who force patients to abandon treatment, causing them to die before the age of 40.
"HIV gives no symptoms, nothing; what allows health personnel to suspect that a person is infected is the presence of opportunistic diseases that produce the signs and symptoms," he said.
The above is due to a series of social, cultural, and structural factors that prevent its population from having access to an early diagnosis and receiving the treatment provided by health authorities.
He added that the treatment consists of taking one tablet a day, which, with prolonged use, leads to undetectability, meaning the infected person ceases to be a transmitter of the virus.
He detailed that most Panamanians are diagnosed with HIV when they seek medical attention for other conditions that do present symptoms and worsen their clinical history.
The doctor reminded patients that the only way to stop the effects of this virus is through Antiretroviral Therapy (ART); therefore, it is important that they do not abandon it and follow the specialists' instructions to the letter.
The Ngöbe-Buglé Comarca continues to lead in cases of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in the country; a study reveals that the incidence of new infections in this area is four times higher than in urban areas.
Meanwhile, Sonia Heckadon, executive director of the organization in charge of the study, asked the public to become aware of the importance of this disease and the use of condoms as a form of prevention.
