ILIGAN CITY (PIA)--The lone sole infectious disease specialist of this city emphasized that contracting Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome is not a "death sentence" because it can be treated if the patient is tested early.

"Kaning HIV, dili siya death sentence. Pwede ni matambalan. Pwede mabuhing normal as long as matambalan," said Leonell Quitos in an interview during the celebration of World AIDS Day of Gregorio T. Lluch Memorial Hospital (GTMLH) on Wednesday.

[Having HIV is not a death sentence. This can be treated. People who have this can live normally so long as they get treated.]

With this, Quitos urged people who have risky behavior to get tested and know their status so they seek early treatment if infected. He emphasized that if they get tested and the virus is detected earlier, they can be treated immediately and will live a normal life after.

Quitos also shared that antiretroviral therapy (ART) serves as a treatment and at the same time prevention of HIV transmission. ART involves taking medicines that slow the progression of the virus in the body of people living with HIV.

Moreover, people needing this treatment may avail of PhilHealth's Outpatient HIV/AIDS Treatment (OHAT) Package.

The City Health Office also offers free counseling for people living with HIV. A treatment hub is also located at the Adventist Medical Center. (LELA/PIA Iligan)