PANAMA CITY — New HIV cases in Bay County have nearly doubled from last year, according to a county health department report.
The Florida Department of Health in Bay County report shows new reported cases of HIV have increased from last year’s 14 new cases to 26 new cases this year.
“It’s on the increase,” said Rick Vitale, HIV/AIDS program coordinator at the health department.
Statistical data is taken between January and August of each year.
As of August, there were 390 total cases of HIV/AIDS known of by the county health department.
“I expect probably double that amount around this area,” Vitale said. “I think you can (multiply) that by two because you have people who don’t know their status” and others who know their status but get treated by a private doctor.
Florida holds the nation’s third spot for highest number of HIV/AIDS cases, and of its 67 counties, Bay County places 21st.
This year, surrounding counties — Calhoun, Franklin, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Walton and Washington — saw a decrease in HIV cases or no new cases at all.
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“We’re seeing that this younger generation is the one being infected,” Vitale said, noting ages 18-24 comprised the majority of new cases.
He said myths about abstinence can lead to confusion about what constitutes sexual intercourse.
“There are other ways to spread the virus … oral, anal, vaginal,” he said. “Anything sexual can make you contract this disease.”
Twenty percent of the cases were that of women. About half of the cases were that of white or black individuals.
The health department and Bay AIDS Services and Information Coalition (BASIC) offer free HIV/AIDS testing. Contact the health department at 872-4455 ext. 1184 or BASIC at 785-1088 for more information.
“If you’ve never had an HIV test and you are or ever have had unsafe sex or multiple partners, then I’d strongly suggest you get an HIV test,” Vitale said. “There’s no way to tell who has HIV or not” other than through testing.
HIV/AIDS patients can get medication assistance through AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) offered at the health department. Other services span across a variety of aspects of living with HIV/AIDS, including dental, nutritional and spiritual.
Medicines can cost patients thousands of dollars a month. Government programs for eligible individuals provide a range of services at a fraction of the costs.
Once thought of as a fatal diagnosis, now “a person’s life expectancy is longer than expected,” Vitale said, noting the quality of life for HIV/AIDS patients also is better. “And that’s amazing — that’s how far technology and medicine has come.”
HIV/AIDS in Bay County
Presumed living HIV/AIDS cases as of Aug. 31: 390
Reported HIV infection cases 2012: 14
Reported HIV infection cases 2013: 26
HIV percent change: +86%
AIDS cases 2012: 14
AIDS cases 2013: 13
AIDS percent change: -7%
2013 AIDS case rank: 24