DR. BRYAN CEPEDOZA
MEDICAL INSIDER
FOR JULY 30, 2023
A Question & Answer Session
with Dr. Bryan Cepedoza
on Health Issues in the Philippines
(Part 4)
The Bohol Tribune (TBT): We continue with our
topic on “Health Issues” in our country, Dr. Bryan.
This time, we would like to discuss what they call
as the HIV/AIDS. Is this still a problem?
Dr. Bryan Cepedoza: Yes, HIV is still very common in
the Philippines. What is making it a health issue is the
fact that our dealing with the patient is not an open
issue. We do not come out into the open and make bold
our management of the patient as it is still a sensitive
issue in our society. So, HIV is still here in the
Philippines, and there are still many cases of it.
TBT: It’s true. People who are infected with this disease
chose to go out of society and deal with the problem
secretly. Society seems to look at this disease as a real
sensitive issue, hence, the problem.
Dr. Bryan: Yes… The secrecy behind this is so tight
that even the HIV tests are not open to the public. For
example, there is a patient who is tested for the disease.
Once the result is there, it is the patient’s right to either
keep it as a secret or as a declaration to the doctor. The
doctor does not have the right to force the patient to
make the result open to the public. The patient is
protected by Philippine laws.
TBT: I see. Unsa man gud HIV/AIDS, Dr. Bryan?
Dr. Bryan: Ok. Medical Science defines Human
immunodeficiency virus or HIV as an infection that
attacks the body’s immune system. Acquired
immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is the most
advanced stage of the disease.
TBT: So what happens to the person who has
HIV/AIDS?
Dr. Bryan: Medical Science says that as HIV targets the
body’s white blood cells, the condition weakens the
person’s immune system. This makes the person as an
easy target to get sick with diseases like tuberculosis,
infections and some cancers.
TBT: How is it spread?
Dr. Bryan: HIV could be spread from the body fluids of
an infected person, including blood, breast milk, semen
and vaginal fluids. It is not spread by kisses, hugs or
sharing food. It can also spread from a mother to her
baby. HIV can also be transmitted during pregnancy and
delivery to the child. I repeat, people cannot become
infected through ordinary day-to-day contact such as
kissing, hugging, shaking hands, or sharing personal
objects, food or water.
TBT: Is HIV/AIDS treatable?
Dr. Bryan: Medical Research says that HIV can be
treated and prevented with antiretroviral therapy (ART).
Untreated HIV can progress to AIDS, often after many
years. WHO now defines Advanced HIV Disease (AHD)
as CD4 cell count less than 200cells/mm3 or WHO
stage 3 or 4 in adults and adolescents. All children with
HIV younger than 5 years of age are considered to have
advanced HIV disease. It is important to note that
people with HIV who are taking ART and have an
undetectable viral load do not transmit HIV to their
sexual partners. Early access to ART and support to
remain on treatment is therefore critical not only to
improve the health of people with HIV but also to
prevent HIV transmission.
TBT: This is, indeed, a sensitive issue, Dr. Bryan.
So, I will pause here. Our next topic is very
common and it will be on pmeumonia. Thank you,
Dr. Bryan.