Detection of HIV, which causes AIDS, is increasing in Costa Rica, despite the measures of prevention and infection.
Authorities are worried because there are at least 2,000 people infected and they do not know it.
The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) causes AIDS, but not all infected people develop the disease.
According to data from the Ministry of Health, 8,219 people were diagnosed with HIV in recent years: 6625 were men and 1594 were women.
The largest number of HIV infections occurs in people aged 25 years old to 29 years old. The second largest group are people from 30 to 34 years old.
San José presents the highest number of HIV infected people: 4,123 cases. Then, it is followed by Alajuela (933 cases), Heredia (770 cases, Cartago (605 cases, Puntarenas (557 cases), Limón (468 cases), Guanacaste (357 cases). In addition, 305 foreigners have the disease.
The increase in the number of HIV-detected cases is, paradoxically, good news: early detection allows people to be more likely not to develop AIDS and die from the disease.
Currently, 62 children with HIV are under treatment to prevent them from developing AIDS. Last year, 52 pregnant women carried the virus.
The population at greatest risk are men (homosexual and married men) who have sex with men and transsexual groups.
While in 2002 there were 189 people who developed AIDS, in 2015 that number dropped to 84.
According to epidemiologist and health worker Elenita Ramírez, this reduction is due to the quality of health services offered in the country. Costa Rica is the only Latin American country where there is a free retroviral treatment, guaranteed by the CCSS.