880 Moldovans diagnosed with HIV last year, 300 already in AIDS stage
Last year, 880 individuals were diagnosed with HIV. Alarmingly, almost 300 of these were detected in the advanced stage of the disease, AIDS.
According to the Moldovan Ministry of Health data, approximately 77% of confirmed AIDS cases are diagnosed concurrently with HIV infection, emphasizing the critical problem of late diagnosis for seropositive individuals.
The figures, released by the Ministry of Health to mark World AIDS Day (annually observed on December 1), also confirm that approximately 29,700 people from high-risk groups received prevention services in 2024.
Authorities are actively providing a comprehensive range of services, including rapid testing, antiretroviral treatment, care, and support for people living with HIV. These efforts also focus on preventing mother-to-child transmission and offering both pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis.
The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) targets and damages immune system cells, while Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) represents the advanced, symptomatic stage of the infection. HIV is transmitted through blood, breast milk, semen, and vaginal secretions, including transmission from mother to child. It is important to note that the virus is not transmitted through routine daily contact, such as kissing, hugging, or sharing food.
Although a cure remains elusive, antiretroviral therapy effectively halts the virus's replication, mitigates symptoms, and allows people living with HIV to lead active and healthy lives.
World AIDS Day is marked every year on December 1. This year's theme, "Overcoming disruptions, transforming the response to AIDS," stresses the ongoing necessity for global solidarity and innovation in the face of current global crises, social shifts, and economic challenges to safeguard public health.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
