Thailand goes into battle against resurgent HIV/AIDS

[webfact]

 

AIDS claimed 9,300 lives in Thailand last year, despite the availability of free, comprehensive care for those living with HIV. Though this figure is worrying, what’s even more worrying is that nearly two-thirds of new HIV infections are in young people.

 

“The percentage of infections among the young generation is far higher than the global average of about 30 per cent,” said Dr Cheewanan Lertpiriyasuwat, speaking ahead of World Aids Day on December 1. Dr Cheewanan is director of the Disease Control Department’s Division of AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Diseases.

 

She believes the rising percentage of infections among young Thais reflects a drop in awareness of AIDS. Some people may have forgotten that AIDS exists, while others may be taking things for granted and failing to protect themselves adequately, she said.

 

The M Plus Foundation and doctors recently said that of the 250 new HIV infections detected in Phitsanulok, more than 60 per cent were in students.

 

Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thailand-goes-into-battle-against-resurgent-hiv-aids/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-12-01

 

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[Hummin]

The risk of STD’s is a good argument for being in a relationship and not rent! If rubber fetish is your thing, condoms is a good solution if you use them.  
 

 

Edited December 1, 2022 by Hummin

[scubascuba3]

Doesn't surprise me at all, Pattaya for example, biggest brothel in the world has zero STI awareness places, thai people are clueless. There should be numerous places people can get PrEP to prevent HIV, incl to increase awareness. I've mentioned it to a few girls, none have heard of it

[RichardColeman]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

AIDS claimed 9,300 lives in Thailand last year, despite the availability of free, comprehensive care for those living with HIV.

Sounds more like 9,300 idiots either too afraid to take a test, left it too long even though they saw they were sick or refused medication. Nobody dies of HIV these days when they know they have it, 1 pill in the morning , job done and you cannot pass it on during sex when undetectable 

[NightSky]

8 hours ago, RichardColeman said:

Sounds more like 9,300 idiots either too afraid to take a test, left it too long even though they saw they were sick or refused medication. Nobody dies of HIV these days when they know they have it, 1 pill in the morning , job done and you cannot pass it on during sex when undetectable 

The reality is many people dont know they have it until it’s too late. Even people who have been in a monogamous relationship for 10 or more years can test positive as it can take so long to show concerning symptoms. 
 

the key is getting checked 3 months after every new ‘interaction’

Edited December 1, 2022 by NightSky

[Phnom Penh Trader]

15 hours ago, webfact said:

The M Plus Foundation and doctors recently said that of the 250 new HIV infections detected in Phitsanulok

Phitsanulok is the absolute back of beyond,it this the shagging monkeys theory raising it’s ugly head again?

[Phnom Penh Trader]

As long as you have the correct amulet from the Wat you should be fine?

[tgw]

8 minutes ago, Phnom Penh Trader said:

Phitsanulok is the absolute back of beyond,it this the shagging monkeys theory raising it’s ugly head again?

7 minutes ago, Phnom Penh Trader said:

As long as you have the correct amulet from the Wat you should be fine?

^looks like someone is trying hard to get his postcount up.

 

[Phnom Penh Trader]

1 minute ago, tgw said:

^looks like someone is trying hard to get his postcount up.

 

South-East Asia is a non-confrontation society and region,I won’t be responding to your provocations so don’t waste any more of either of our times?

Thanks in advance.

[ElenDen]

Just checked this movie regarding the topic

you should also check if you are interested in:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9O9a65jfRpg

[accel]

30% ?

[Enoon]

19 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

Doesn't surprise me at all, Pattaya for example, biggest brothel in the world has zero STI awareness places, thai people are clueless. There should be numerous places people can get PrEP to prevent HIV, incl to increase awareness. I've mentioned it to a few girls, none have heard of it

Been running for at least 10 years:

Service Workers In Group Foundation,

45-54 South Pattaya Road

https://www.swingthailand.org/

 

"The Sex Workers IN Group (SWING) are a sex worker organisation with drop-in spaces and offices across three of Thailand’s most infamous red-light districts: Bangkok (Patpong), Koh Samui, and Pattaya (Walking Street). As an organisation working at the local, national and regional level, SWING are recognised for their expertise in developing creative and innovative core programs and projects which focus on the health and wellbeing of sex worker communities, using a human rights framework and peer-led health promotion activities..............After several years successfully implementing programs for trans* and male sex workers, SWING expanded its focus to regional areas and began to include female sex workers in its program work. SWING’s expansion involved facilitating programs in Pattaya (2006)"

 

 

https://www.nswp.org/featured/service-workers-group-swing

 

 

Edited December 1, 2022 by Enoon

[scubascuba3]

1 hour ago, Enoon said:

Been running for at least 10 years:

Service Workers In Group Foundation,

45-54 South Pattaya Road

https://www.swingthailand.org/

 

"The Sex Workers IN Group (SWING) are a sex worker organisation with drop-in spaces and offices across three of Thailand’s most infamous red-light districts: Bangkok (Patpong), Koh Samui, and Pattaya (Walking Street). As an organisation working at the local, national and regional level, SWING are recognised for their expertise in developing creative and innovative core programs and projects which focus on the health and wellbeing of sex worker communities, using a human rights framework and peer-led health promotion activities..............After several years successfully implementing programs for trans* and male sex workers, SWING expanded its focus to regional areas and began to include female sex workers in its program work. SWING’s expansion involved facilitating programs in Pattaya (2006)"

 

 

https://www.nswp.org/featured/service-workers-group-swing

 

 

They do a rubbish job, no sex workers have heard of them, no one has seen them out and about bringing awareness. 

 

I would not be surprised if the people in this article which got HIV caught it i Pattaya

[hotchilli]

5 hours ago, Phnom Penh Trader said:

Phitsanulok is the absolute back of beyond,it this the shagging monkeys theory raising it’s ugly head again?

Or student side-line work?

[Gknrd]

That is one horrible way to die, and a horrible sickness to live with...  

[bkk6060]

2 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

They do a rubbish job, no sex workers have heard of them, no one has seen them out and about bringing awareness. 

 

I would not be surprised if the people in this article which got HIV caught it i Pattaya

Sorry, you read the article linked to the thread  SW 1%?

 

According to the AIDS Epidemic Model, about 6,500 Thai nationals are likely to have contracted HIV last year. Of the new infections, 62 per cent will have come from unprotected male-to-male intercourse, 23 per cent from having sex with HIV-positive partners, 11 per cent from casual encounters, 3 per cent from sharing syringes and 1 per cent from encounters with sex workers.

 

 

Edited December 2, 2022 by bkk6060

[simon43]

18 hours ago, RichardColeman said:

Sounds more like 9,300 idiots either too afraid to take a test, left it too long even though they saw they were sick or refused medication. Nobody dies of HIV these days when they know they have it, 1 pill in the morning , job done and you cannot pass it on during sex when undetectable 

My 18 year old Thai niece died in my arms some 5 months ago from HIV/TB.  She weighed just 21 Kg when she passed away.

 

The reasons for her death was ignorance and shame.

- She and her family had no idea that treatment was available for free under the 30 baht scheme

- She was too ashamed to tell anyone about her HIV status until the illness (mostly TB infection which is common amongst HIV positive people) was too advanced for recovery.

- She was not a sex-worker, just a normal young woman who was unlucky enough to be infected with the HIV virus.

 

There is a stigma in Thailand (and other Asian countries) about being HIV positive, which IMHO hinders prompt treatment.  My Thai cook (35 years old) also died of untreated HIV/AIDs, stigma and shame again.

[StayinThailand2much]

8 hours ago, accel said:

30% ?

Maybe young people = 30% of new infections.

[scubascuba3]

6 hours ago, bkk6060 said:

Sorry, you read the article linked to the thread  SW 1%?

 

According to the AIDS Epidemic Model, about 6,500 Thai nationals are likely to have contracted HIV last year. Of the new infections, 62 per cent will have come from unprotected male-to-male intercourse, 23 per cent from having sex with HIV-positive partners, 11 per cent from casual encounters, 3 per cent from sharing syringes and 1 per cent from encounters with sex workers.

 

 

Yeah but sex workers in Pattaya are having sex with multiple people daily so makes sense they protect themselves with PrEP, daily tablet or injection every two months, but of course they've never heard of it

[tomazbodner]

Saw this article, maybe glimpse of hope for some: https://edition.cnn.com/2022/12/01/health/hiv-vaccine-phase-1-study/index.html

 

Though with anti-vaccine sentiment, I doubt this would make much of a difference, even if working perfectly...

[scubascuba3]

40 minutes ago, tomazbodner said:

Saw this article, maybe glimpse of hope for some: https://edition.cnn.com/2022/12/01/health/hiv-vaccine-phase-1-study/index.html

 

Though with anti-vaccine sentiment, I doubt this would make much of a difference, even if working perfectly...

Yep that's a big step forward, those at risk would be crazy not to take if it becomes available

[NightSky]

On 12/2/2022 at 2:58 AM, simon43 said:

My 18 year old Thai niece died in my arms some 5 months ago from HIV/TB.  She weighed just 21 Kg when she passed away.

 

The reasons for her death was ignorance and shame.

- She and her family had no idea that treatment was available for free under the 30 baht scheme

- She was too ashamed to tell anyone about her HIV status until the illness (mostly TB infection which is common amongst HIV positive people) was too advanced for recovery.

- She was not a sex-worker, just a normal young woman who was unlucky enough to be infected with the HIV virus.

 

There is a stigma in Thailand (and other Asian countries) about being HIV positive, which IMHO hinders prompt treatment.  My Thai cook (35 years old) also died of untreated HIV/AIDs, stigma and shame again.

Sorry to hear about your niece. I feel It could have been avoided if treatment was known about and accessible. 
 

Unfortunately the stigma and ignorance about how hiv can be treated and how it can be passed on and how people can live normally with hiv if treated, is worldwide.
 

Even in this thread. 

Edited December 6, 2022 by NightSky