Data from the HIV/AIDS registry showed that in Montenegro, from the beginning of the epidemic in 1989 until the end of 2023, 425 people infected with the disease were registered. During the current year, 31 newly infected persons were registered, of which slightly less than a fifth had HIV infection previously.
This was announced by the Institute for Public Health of Montenegro (IJZCG) on the occasion of World AIDS Day, which is celebrated today.
Social medicine specialist at the Institute of Public Health (IJZ) Aleksandra Marjanović she told "Vijesti" that AIDS "is a syndrome of acquired immunity loss, as well as that it is caused by the immunodeficiency virus".
"This infection is transmitted through unprotected sexual contact with an HIV-positive person (anal, vaginal and oral sex). The greatest risk of transmission is unprotected anal intercourse. The risk of transmitting the virus during oral intercourse is lower than during unprotected anal or vaginal intercourse, but it still exists. "There have been several documented cases of HIV transmission during oral sex with an HIV-positive person," she said.
It is also transmitted through blood
According to her, in addition to sexual contact, the AIDS disease is transmitted through blood or blood products.
"Infection is possible if shared equipment (needle and syringe) is used for drug injection. "HIV can also be transmitted during the transfusion of blood and blood products, organ transplants and artificial insemination, but this risk is minimized due to the testing of blood, plasma, organ and sperm donors," said Marjanović.
She emphasized that 46 percent of people infected with HIV "at the time of its discovery, were in the stage of AIDS".
"...And, 211 of them were either in the asymptomatic phase or in the symptomatic non-AIDS phase of HIV infection. In the same period, 69 people died of AIDS," she said.
As she said, the treatment of this disease involves the use of antiretroviral therapy, which, Marjanović claims, prevents the virus from multiplying.
"This therapy is used daily, for life, and proper dedication to the therapy (adherence and compliance) is very important. Commitment is reflected in adherence and correct use of therapies as prescribed. The greater the attachment and commitment to the therapy, the better the effects of the therapy," she said.
She emphasized that at the end of the previous year, there were 275 people (all over 15 years old) on antiretroviral therapy (ART).
"The number of viral copies less than 200 per milliliter of blood (suppressed viral load) was achieved in 96 percent of people who are on therapy. The therapeutic protocol used in Montenegro is in accordance with the recommendations issued by the 'European AIDS Clinical Society' (EACS) and certain fixed combinations of antiretroviral drugs are available in our country. Also, in accordance with the recommendations, at the end of 2015, the so-called "treat all" practice, which implies that the number of CD4 lymphocytes is no longer a criterion for the introduction of therapy, but treatment is recommended for all HIV-infected persons", said Marjanović, adding that "a person who uses therapy in the right way cannot transmit the virus to his sexual partner".
Difference between HIV and AIDS
Deputy coordinator in the non-governmental organization (NGO) Juventas Marija Mijović she emphasized that it is important to distinguish between the terms HIV and AIDS.
"HIV is a human immunodeficiency virus, and once we know our status, if it is positive, we get involved in treatment, we follow the doctor's advice, we can have a quality and long life, just like someone who does not have this virus. When we talk about AIDS or AIDS, we are talking about acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, and it represents the last stage of infection with the HIV virus," said Mijović.
He notes that it is important to know that not every person infected with the HIV virus will develop AIDS.
"If he gets involved in treatment in a timely manner, a person with HIV will never reach the stage of AIDS. Untreated infection with the HIV virus leads, after a certain number of years, to the appearance of the AIDS syndrome," Mijović said, adding that only testing can reveal the status of infection.
According to her, people living with HIV are discriminated against "to the greatest extent due to the general public and misunderstanding of the infection itself".
"Myths and misconceptions about HIV and AIDS are what increase fear, as well as the lack of information about the transmission of the infection itself, and the fact that this is unfortunately still an incurable infection. "Also, one of the causes of stigma and discrimination is insufficient media coverage of this infection," she said.
He is of the opinion that "attention is paid to this issue only when it is the European Testing Week and when the Day of the fight against HIV/AIDS is celebrated".
"And that it is necessary to make this topic more accessible and to talk about it more. Also, we need to inform the public about the availability of testing and highlight the testing service in the community. Community testing is testing for infections that is carried out within communities that are at increased risk, with the aim of bringing this service closer to people from the communities. In accordance with that, the NGO Juventas organized testing for HIV, hepatitis B and C and syphilis this year in its Drop-in center, in cooperation with the Institute for Public Health and the counseling center for voluntary and confidential counseling and testing," concludes Mijović.
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