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A health official stated on Tuesday that access to social media could be one of the causes of the rise in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) incidence among teenagers and young adults.

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This follows January’s 79 new cases among people aged 10 to 19 and seven new cases among children under the age of nine, according to the Department of Health’s (DOH) most recent data registry.

“Even before we had been detecting also but were logging only a few among teenagers, so kaya nga po ang ating paalala wala pong pinipiling edad ang HIV (Even before we had been detecting also but were logging only a few among teenagers, so we are reminding everyone that the HIV chooses no age),” said DOH officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire in a media briefing.

She pointed out that there are other ways for adolescents and teenagers to contract HIV than a lack of awareness.

“We have noticed that among the young people who engage in unsafe sex, they already have social media platforms where they can meet and chat, and they’re using for this kind of eto na po’yung ginagamit ng mga kabataan natin ngayon para sila ay magkaroon ng ganitong klaseng pagkikita at illicit behaviour (We have noticed that among the young people who engage in unsafe s

Vergeire warned teens that their behavior could result in infections because sexual contact is the primary method of HIV transmission among cases.

Parents are urged to inform their kids about the dangers of engaging in illegal activity.

“Freely ang gamutan at test for HIV sa tingin niyo po nagkaaroon kayo ng risky conduct. If you believe you engaged in risky activity, the HIV test and treatment are both free. Kailangan niyo lang pumunta. Simply visit your local administrations, Vergeire advised.

Since there are now medications that can extend the patient’s life, getting HIV is no longer a “death sentence,” she said.

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