The number of people infected with HIV (HIV) and diagnosed with AIDS (AIDS) in Hong Kong has remained low. However, the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health recently found that five middle-aged female workers have been infected with HIV since August last year to last month. Most of them had provided services in Yau Tsim Mong and Sham Shui Po. The Centre urges those who have had unsafe sex to undergo HIV antibody testing as soon as possible. Some sex worker support organizations feel a sudden sense of multiple cases in a short period of time. They believe that it is difficult to do business under the epidemic. Some sex workers may take risks to attract customers and do not require customers to use condoms.
The CHP said that it has noticed an unusual increase in the number of new HIV infections involving female workers since August last year. So far, 5 women aged between 51 and 63 have been involved, most of whom have worked in Yau Tsim Mong and Sham Shui Po. Po District provides sexual services. One of them had symptoms of acute infection with fever and rash, which was found after being suspected by a doctor, and the rest were found after self-testing. According to epidemiological investigations, no case has been found to involve a common source of infection. All patients are in stable condition and are receiving HIV treatment and care.
Huang Jiaqing, director of the Public Health Service of the Centre for Health Protection, described the situation as “unusual”, saying that in the past hundreds of sex workers had not had a single case of infection. He called on those who have had unsafe sex to take an HIV antibody test as soon as possible. The government will strengthen testing and counselling services through a network of organisations to raise the vigilance of female workers, and strengthen preventive measures for male customers, including the provision of mobile HIV testing services and the distribution of free condoms.
Group concerned about infection by same customer
Miss Li, a spokeswoman for the sex worker support organization “Wisteria”, said that in the past 10 years, outreach work has only found one case of HIV infection among sex workers. It’s a surprise.” It is estimated that these sex workers may have been infected by the same client. She also pointed out that sex workers have a high awareness of HIV, STDs, etc., including regular HIV testing; it is estimated that business is difficult to do under the epidemic, and some people may take risks to attract customers and do not require customers Use condoms.
Infection and infectious disease doctor Lin Weixun pointed out that after a patient is infected with HIV, the virus level will reach its peak after a few weeks, with acute infection symptoms and a higher risk of spreading the virus; After receiving treatment, there is a chance of developing AIDS and related complications. The incubation period is from several months to several years. It is reiterated that although AIDS is not curable, there are drugs to control the disease.
Originally published on AM730 https://www.am730.com.hk/local/less than a year-5 female workers infected with HIV-the Centre for Protection says the situation is unusual/327640