HIV/AIDS cases slowly increasing in Slovakia

Even though Slovakia has relatively few new cases of HIV infection compared to other European Union countries, their number is on the rise, according to Chief Public Health Officer Ivan Rovny. The Authority's website indicates that since the monitoring began in 1985, the highest number was reached last year - 86 cases, which was three more than in 2013. Rovny says we can see an increasing trend in HIV infection in Slovakia from the beginning of the 21st century. Of the 86 new HIV cases three were foreigners diagnosed while staying in Slovakia. Since records began in 1985, 725 people have been recorded infected by the human immunodeficiency virus in Slovakia, 595 of them were Slovak nationals. There have been 53 HIV/AIDS-related deaths. Most of the recorded HIV cases in Slovakia are homosexual men, and the Public Health Office also indicates that it is a largely urban phenomenon. Bratislava region has the most cases among regions. HIV/AIDS is currently incurable, but the degeneration of the immune system can be slowed down with medication. Testing for HIV is accessible to everyone in Slovakia, also anonymously.