Dec 02, 2025
3 min read
The Island introduced 242 diagnoses last year, the highest number after Catalonia, Valencia, Madrid and Andalusia |88% are men between 25 and 45
Canary Islands, the fifth community with the most cases of HIV: "It is trivialized"
The islands have 242 diagvosos per year, the most after Catalonia, Valtencia, Madrid and Anthrid |88% are men between the ages of 25 and 45
Last season, the Canary Islands reported 242 new cases of HIV, a similar picture to that recorded in 2023, or the circulation of the King's virus?
Stay another year, for next year, in the most difficult communities, behind Madrid, Cataraina, the medicine in Valenecia and Andeasa." We have 10.81 cases per 100,000
88.8% of new diagnoses are in men aged 25 to 45.About 60% of people infected last year are of Spanish nationality.In terms of mode of transmission, 62.8% of new HIV diagnoses correspond to gay, bisexual and men who have sex with men;35.5% involved unprotected heterosexual intercourse, and only one person became infected through injecting drug use.
Rectum, early diagnosis
In the Canary Islands, many of the new cases are found during the asymptomatic period of infection.However, 44.6% of people with HIV were diagnosed late in the archipelago;That is, when the virus is repeated between five and ten years."In fact, we are better than the rest of the state, where 51% of diagnoses are late," said Pérez.At this time, the defenses begin to suffer and, the later the diagnosis occurs, the worse the prognosis.In fact, between 17 and 20% positive cases are found when the AIDS disease makes its debut.
In the past few yearsTackling the virus has significantly improved the quality of life for people living with HIV.“Thanks to the wide variety of antiviral treatments available,It also improves the tolerance of many drugs.With fewer side effectsand the main reason is that the treatment initiation policy has changed.in order to receive treatment earlyAfter diagnosis,” Perez emphasized.
Normal life next to the virus
The improvement allows people with HIV to live a practically normal life."With adequate adherence to treatment and proper monitoring, a person can achieve an almost undetectable viral load and finally have a life expectancy practically directly to the rest of the population," suggests the expert.
This good prognosis has led some of the population to carry out risky sexual practices without protection."There is a trivialization of HIV. The population is aware of this progress in treatments and in the quality of life. It is no longer a diagnosis associated with illness and mortality", says Pérez, who remembers that the fundamental method to protect oneself against the virus is the use of condoms.
Treatment 8,027 people living with HIV in the Itshona Yama Khaya given antiretrovirals by 2024.
Three thousand and ten 043,547 people received funds in the field of Antirovidrovilov
in 20241,279 people were given PrEP at a cost of €171,134.
Progress in eliminating discrimination
On the occasion of World AIDS Day on Monday.The Canary Islands Ministry of Health wishes to highlight the successes achieved in recent years in eradicating HIV-related stigma and inequalities and therefore joins the campaign launched by the Ministry of Health under the slogan "Viva HIV", which recalls the importance of eradicating the stigma and discrimination still suffered by people living with HIV or more exposed to the virus.
Among the most advanced to eliminate discrimination against people in recent years, the ministry is doing more to discriminate against the elderly
Other major achievements in this area are the removal of obstacles in the administration, the armed forces in general, the social component of the pursuit of non-discrimination and equal treatment for those who are married to those who are married to those who are married.
Now, thanks to advances in treatment, half of people with HIV in Spain were diagnosed more than 15 years ago, and their life expectancy is similar to that of the general population.
