Indonesia has become a "rising star" in regard to the number of People Living With HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) here.
Topping the ranks is Papua province, with PLWHA amounting to 81.02 per 100,000 people. Jakarta is at number two with 34.27 and Bali is third with 25.49 (Kompas, Nov. 15).
At the end of 2005, there were 1800 PLWHA in Jakarta, but by October this year that number had more than doubled (to 3607), Jakarta Governor Fauzi Bowo said earlier this month.
A similar trend was seen in Jakarta suburbs like Tangerang. Last year 196 new cases of PLWHA were reported, 56 with AIDS. But in the first 5 months of 2008, 142 PLWHA were reported already, with 30 cases of AIDS. (The Jakarta Post, June 16, 2008).
This data is just the tip of a huge iceberg, as it comes only from government hospitals and accredited clinics. Not included are case findings of private medical facilities and those who are HIV positive but have remained undetected thus far (due to ignorance, a "don't care" attitude or who simply because they would prefer not to know).
Every day dozens of people die from AIDS, and many more are diagnosed as infected with HIV, although the latter may be completely free of signs and symptoms for the time being.
This is indeed tragic, since now, from a purely medical perspective, PLWHA need not have shorter lives, and may enjoy a full life like the uninfected, through proper care and treatment. (the Post Oct. 24).
"But don't get too optimistic, this is only true for people of wealthy countries, where all doctor's visits, laboratory examinations, medicines and eventual hospitalizations are free, AND if the patient can tolerate all the medicines prescribed."
Therefore, don't let your cautiousness and vigilance become lax. The transmission of HIV occurs through contact with bodily fluids between PLWHA and a non-infected persons through one or more of the following routes: sex (intercourse!), sharing needles by Intra-Venous Drug Users (IVDU), tainted blood transfusions, unsafe dental procedures etc.
Let us now focus on the most frequent modes of infection, (90 percent of which are through) sex and IVDU.
Several years back, the acronym ABC was made popular as a way to prevent new infections through sex. A stands for Abstinence -- and if you simply cannot, then the next step should Be faithful to your spouse, and if that is still ineffective then simply use a Condom. As could be expected, the program failed completely.
Very probably because in ABC, the fear factor is not apparent, whilst all sane people if asked in a normal, fully alert and sober condition, would certainly chose to be free of AIDS over experiencing the greatest sexual titillation or adventure ever.
Therefore, adding a D (dissociate yourselves from all temptations, drunkenness, mind-numbing and excitatory drugs etc) could also be helpful. You can also add an E for Evade dubious friends who might bring you into situations where you might easily lose your self control.
Most important is to add an F, standing for "do you Fear AIDS?"
This might be the ultimate fail-proof weapon for mankind, as all normal people will certainly fear getting this dreadful disease.
Would ABCDEF turn us into monks or even holy men and women?
Far from that, it would simply direct us to a more healthy and responsible way of living, by persevering the alertness and subsequent prudence that ABCDEF commands.
In simple terms, this will mean we should re-orient ourselves from hazardous outdoor living (under the disguise of recreation, making use of open opportunities, etc) to focus on our immediate family -- so those who are already married and for those who are still single to think about the bright aspects of an AIDS-free future.
Certainly, some recreational activities (sport, hobbies, etc) have to be done outdoors. Never mind, just continue, but retain your composure (with the ABCDEF way of life) wherever you are.
As ABCDEF will (re-)orient its followers (back) to their families, besides being an affective way to prevent HIV infection, at the same time it will provide husbands, wives and children with a closer-knit family system and more harmony -- all leading to a happier family life.
Therefore, husbands and wives (and eventually their children too) should hold serious discussions to obtain necessary mutual understanding and conviction to adhere to the ABCDEF philosophy.
And in this ultra-modern world with its contemporary way of life and its 1001 glittering open-24-hour temptations, there is no better easy, practical and cost-effective way to prevent HIV infection, and subsequently AIDS.
Becoming an ABCDEF faithful follower will turn a concrete fear of AIDS into a family's most reliable friend.
The writer is a pulmonologist.
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