BAGUIO CITY, June 4- - The Baguio City Health Office (CHO) reported six new cases of Human Immuno Deficiency Virus/ Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome or (HIV/AIDS) for the first quarter of 2011.

The patients’ ages range from 22 to 39 years old; one is a female,39, and the rest are males aged 22, 27, 28, 32, and 35 and are confessed “MSM” or men having sex with men.

According to the CHO’s HIV/AIDS registry, there are 47 cases recorded from 1992 to 2011 with ages ranging from 17 to 45 years old. A total of 17 had since died.

The health office is advising people suspected to have contracted the disease to seek medical attention at once.

“If they are curious with their reproductive health and still don’t know their health status, it is advisable to come here for them to be tested,” CHO nursing attendant Emilio Callao Jr. said.

Females both sexually active and non-active are also requested to avail of PAP smear. The first day to 14th day of menstruation is the best time to have PAP smear as it detects infected cells causing cervical cancer which is the second leading cause of death among females. However, if there is no infected cell found, PAP smear can be done every two years.

Moreover, the health office is pushing educating the managers of clubs against the danger of allowing sexual activities in their establishments. For entertainers, PAP smear at least once a week is prescribed and the test can be availed at the CHO. Apart from this, a lecture about HIV/AIDS during first Friday every month has been prepared for them.

“We are advising couples to use contraceptives although it’s up to them if they want to, but for those who have multiple partners we advise them to protect themselves because you don’t know who is/are infected by the virus,” Callao said.

Menopausal women are also advised to have themselves tested. *(PIO Baguio City/PIA CAR)