According to Queensland's Chief Health Officer, Jeannette Young, about 12 new cases are added in the list of HIV affected people last year who were under the category of persons in the age of 25 to 34 years of age.

The number of HIV infected people has been rising up at a worrying rate, in Queensland. Human immunodeficiency virus triggers the development of AIDS, which destroys the white cells in the body, causing a compromised immunity, thus resulting in the increased tendency for the body to be vulnerable to other diseases.

Of all HIV notifications last year in Queensland, 88 per cent were in males, and the highest notification rates were in 25-34 years age group, said Dr Young.

He adds that this rise might be due to the campaign that encourages gay men to go through HIV testing. He admits that it is the highest number of cases that has ever been reported.

Next month, the Australia Health Ministers' Conference will be developing a new national HIV strategy. People are advised to engage in safe sex so that they will not fall prey to HIV.

The new HIV-AIDS prevention strategies and education campaigns by health authorities are now discussing the expenditure involved.

Medicine Aids