In Colombia there are anywhere from 90,000 to 150,000 people living with the HIV/AIDS, and of those, up to 100,000 do not know they are carrying the virus, the UN said ahead of World AIDS Day.UNAIDS Colombia coordinator Luis Angel told Cuban state news agency Prensa Latina that 8,000 Colombians were infected by the HIV virus from January to November of this year.
The majority of those of contract the virus are between 25 and 29 years of age (15.3%) and the second highest group is between 30 and 34 (14.4 percent).
The prevalence rate between adults 15 to 49 years-old is 0.5%.
UNAIDS estimates that 42,000 women 15 years-old and up are lving with the AIDs virus in Colombia.
As of 2012, there had been 6,500 deaths attributed to the disease.
HIV/AIDS is transferred through the exchange of bodily fluids, including unprotected sex.
UNAIDs has said its main message is “prevention,” handing out condoms as an effective measure against HIV infection.
MORE: Colombia needs to increase HIV awareness for youth: UN
World’s AIDS Day is held on 1 December each year and according to the website, it is “an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, show their support for people living with HIV and to commemorate people who have died.”
Sources
