Srinagar- As many as five drug addicts have tested positive for the deadly human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in Kashmir Valley this year, with healthcare professionals raising an alarm that the drug abuse can accelerate the spread of HIV and aggravate its symptoms, particularly in the brain of the addicts.
6,158 cases of HIV have been registered with antiretroviral therapy (ART) centers in Jammu and Kashmir, according to the Health and Medical Education Department. Of the 6,158 cases, total People Living with HIV (PLHIV) registered in HIV care at SKIMS, Soura are 703.
As many as 5 patients who were into drug addiction have had their HIV status confirmed at the SMHS drug de-addiction centre. Despite having the lowest HIV prevalence in the country, Kashmir, experts believe, has a considerable percentage of drug users having HIV.
Of the total 6, 158 cases, 3,478 HIV-positive patients are receiving ART at the moment, while 1,400 HIV-positive patients have died of the deadly disease so far in the UT, official statistics revealed.
“The SMHS drug de-addiction centre has confirmed the HIV status of five patients, who were into drug addiction; the actual number may be higher.” Dr Fazal-e-Rob, senior resident, Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (IMHANS) told Kashmir Observer.
Dr. Fazal said the drug addicts ‘peculiar lifestyles make them more vulnerable to HIV/AIDS, and they may contract HIV even if they don’t have sexual contact with an infected individual.
He said those using drugs or engaging in high-risk behaviors related to drug abuse increase their risk of acquiring or spreading viral diseases, including hepatitis, HIV, and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS).
“This generally happens when drug users exchange needles or other related equipment while injecting drugs, and when their judgment is clouded by drugs and they engage in unprotected intercourse with an infected partner,” he said.
“His brain and behavior are severely affected by drug addiction to the point that a drug addict loses self-control. Drug abuse can accelerate the spread of HIV and aggravate its symptoms, particularly in the brain. A drug addict is sexually more active than an average person and being high on drugs they don’t even bother to use protection while having an intercourse,” he added.
Expressing serious concern over the rising drug menace among youngsters in the Valley, renowned virologist and president Doctors Association of Kashmir (DAK), Dr Nisar-ul-Hassan said the drug abusers are more vulnerable to viral infections, including HIV and hepatitis B and C.
“Needles and syringes are potential sources of Hepatitis C for a drug addict. The Hepatitis C virus is more likely to spread when needles and syringes are shared or reused because they can hold more blood after use than syringes with fixed needles,” Dr Nisar told Kashmir Observer.
Hepatitis B virus (HBV), he said, uses both direct and indirect processes to help in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
“Living with a chronic infection of either the hepatitis B or hepatitis C virus raises chances of developing liver cancer. Hepatitis B infection-related inflammation can result in cirrhosis, or significant liver scarring, which can compromise the liver’s capacity to function,” the DAK president added.
He said that SMHS hospital receives an increased number of Hepatitis B and C patients on a daily basis who use drugs, and that any laxity on the patient’s side vis-à-vis treatment might result in his premature and unexpected death.
“A drug user is more susceptible to HIV-AIDS in addition to hepatitis C and B because they inject drugs more often using contaminated syringes. Hepatitis C and B are on the rise in the Kashmir Valley, with worrisome rates,” he said.
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