Nisha Pandey

Exclusive With Leading HIV Expert: What's Driving Rising HIV Cases Among Young People And How To Prevent It

Recent reports of more than 7,000 people aged 18 to 25 testing <span>HIV</span> positive in Karnataka have put the spotlight on HIV among India's younger population. 

The development has prompted the Karnataka government to expand HIV awareness, counselling, and voluntary testing initiatives across colleges. But the numbers raise a bigger question: are young people actually seeing higher HIV transmission, or are more infections simply being detected? 

In an exclusive conversation with <strong><em>HealthandMe</em></strong>, <strong>Dr. <span rel="noindex">Ishwar Gilada</span>, President Emeritus, AIDS Society of India and a globally acclaimed HIV/STI/ infectious diseases expert</strong>, shed light on the recent trends and patterns of HIV cases in India in the last few years. He also explained the shifting nature of HIV awareness, sexual behaviour, testing and prevention in India. 

<h2>Factors Driving HIV Risk Among Young Population </h2>

According to the doctor, India's <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/worlds-first-gonorrhoea-vaccine-rolled-out-in-england-amid-sti-surge-how-does-it-help-in-treatment-article-151689296" data-type="tilCustomLink">HIV epidemic</a> initially showed a steady increase after the first cases were identified in 1986 until at least 2005. He said cases were static from 2005 to 2010 and even started going down till 2020. He said that we started seeing an increase again in the last five to six years. 

The doctor attributed the sudden increase in cases to what he described as a “cohort effect” which is affecting people born around or after 2000. 

He explains, "Cohort affects those who are born, whom we call millennium babies, who are born either in 2000 or after that. Millennium babies, who are now 20-25 are more vulnerable." 

<h3>2. Lack of HIV Awareness Campaigns </h3>

The doctor believes another reason could be that young people today were not exposed to the intensive HIV awareness campaigns that existed during the early 2000s. 

He says, “They are vulnerable because high-profile campaigns for HIV awareness were there from around 2000 to 2005. After that, they stopped as improved HIV treatment started.”

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/thailands-hiv-cases-cross-550000-in-2026-over-25000-among-1524s-article-156029147" data-type="tilCustomLink">Thailand’s HIV Cases Cross 550,000 In 2026; Over 25,000 Among 15–24s</a>

The doctor said another important factor is the changing nature of sexual relationships and how people perceive risk. 

“Earlier it was believed that if you frequent red light areas, you may pick up <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/new-hiv-prevention-shot-approved-but-access-remains-a-question-article-152112459" data-type="tilCustomLink">HIV</a> from sex workers. But young people say that we don't go to red light areas.” 

According to the doctor, this perception can be misleading because sexual contact can occur in many different settings like massage parlours where one may also have access to services related to sex work. 

He also pointed towards sexual relationships involving multiple partners. He says that there is a lot of interpersonal sexual contact happening and without any commitment with unknown partners. He says, "They do not consider them either self or that person at risk.” 

He also highlighted HIV risk among homosexual men. He says, "After Section 377 has been repealed, same sex among has become more frequent. They do not consider themselves to be at high risk because they think that they are not having sex with the female or a sex worker.” 

<h3>4. <span rel="noindex">PrEP</span> And <span rel="noindex">PEP</span> Awareness Are Misunderstood </h3>

The doctor also raised an interesting concern about growing awareness of HIV prevention medicines like PrEP and PEP. 

“There is awareness about PEP, <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/vaccine-skepticism-to-planned-pandemic-noteworthy-health-conspiracy-theories-promoted-by-rfk-jr-article-151101001" data-type="tilCustomLink">post-exposure prophylaxis</a>, and pre-exposure prophylaxis. So what they started thinking even if we take a risk, there is a PEP available. If we have to take a risk, we can take a PrEP and we can have a medicine and then we can have sex.” 

He also said people may selectively use prevention based on how risky they believe another person appears. The result, he said, is a potentially dangerous mismatch between perceived risk and actual risk. 

<h3>5. Stigma May Stop People From Testing And Taking Treatment </h3>

The fear of being identified as someone living with HIV can become a barrier to diagnosis and treatment. For younger people, the problem can be even more difficult because they may live with their families and have little privacy. The doctor said society needs to recognise that HIV is now a manageable infection. 

“Society has to accept that this is now infection, manageable, better than diabetes, better than many other diseases.” 

He also argued that stigma is not confined to the public. “We have to blame medical community.” 

He alleged that in healthcare, patients continue to get treated differently. He recalled a case involving one of his patients who was hospitalised. 

He says, “One of my patients told me they wrote they had written HIV positive on my bed when I was hospitalised. So, if this is the way you are discriminating, that person won't be maintaining his anonymity of HIV that he did for 25 years.”

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/tivicay-us-fda-approves-drug-to-treat-hiv-in-newborns-article-155987201" data-type="tilCustomLink">Tivicay: US FDA Approves Drug to Treat HIV In Newborns</a>

<h2>How To Prevent HIV Transmission? </h2>

<h3>1. HIV Self-Testing Should Be Improved </h3>

The doctor identified HIV self-testing as one area where he believes India's programme could be strengthened. He says, “One of the flaws of the national program is home <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/why-indian-men-are-at-hpv-risk-article-152001658" data-type="tilCustomLink">HIV testing kit</a> is not allowed in the program. Though you can buy the home testing kit on Amazon,it is not available in the program. So marginalised people will not get tested.” 

He also raised concerns about the price of commercially available kits. He says kits that cost Rs 700 to 800 must not priced more than Rs 100 to 200. 

PrEP, or pre-exposure prophylaxis, was another area the doctor believes requires greater attention. “PrEP is not part of the national program,” he said, adding that PrEP has been approved in India but is not sufficiently integrated into the public programme. He said if this is fixed, people who are not aware of their HIV status will also try to find out. 

<h3>3. HIV Stigma Remains A Major Problem </h3>

One of the strongest messages the doctor gives is how HIV treatment has changed dramatically, but it is still stigmastised. He explained that treatment can also suppress the virus to the point where sexual transmission does not occur. 

He says, “HIV treatment is so powerful that a person with HIV can stay alive for as much as the normal lifespan of any person in the.” But while treatment has transformed HIV medically, the doctor said society has not kept pace. “Currently, the major killer, if at all, we can call, is the stigma and discrimination.”

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/unlicensed-injection-business-sparks-health-alert-in-canada-how-hiv-hepatitis-spread-through-medical-procedures-article-155973255" data-type="tilCustomLink">Unlicensed Injection Business Sparks Health Alert In Canada: How HIV &amp; Hepatitis Spread Through Medical Procedures</a>

<h3>4. People Should Not Wait For Symptoms</h3>

Another important point the doctor stressed is that HIV can remain clinically silent for years. But as the immune system becomes progressively weakened, the person becomes vulnerable to infections that would ordinarily be easier for the body to fight. 

“Talking about symptoms, when virus multiplies initially, the person will have no symptoms. It takes two to four years, five or even 10 years' time. If you wait till you fall sick, then a lot of valuable time will pass.” 

His message was therefore to test and start treatment before advanced <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/scientists-take-a-step-towards-a-universal-vaccine-against-pneumonia-and-meningitis-article-156037479" data-type="tilCustomLink">immune damage</a> occurs.

HPV Vaccine for Girls: Safety, Fertility & Cervical Cancer Explained

<h3>5. Prevention Should Go Beyond Awareness</h3>

When asked about prevention, the doctor divided it into pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches. He emphasised upon safe sex and reducing exposure to multiple sexual partners. 

The larger lesson from his interview is that HIV prevention cannot depend on a single intervention. It requires testing, treatment, condoms, PrEP and PEP where appropriate, harm-reduction measures, awareness and, perhaps most importantly, an environment where people are not afraid to seek care. 

India has made significant progress against HIV over the past several decades. The government has reported substantial reductions in new <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/trichomoniasis-is-the-most-common-std-know-what-it-is-article-151069419" data-type="tilCustomLink">HIV infections</a> since 2010, while the <span>National AIDS Control Programme</span> continues to focus on prevention, testing, treatment and reducing AIDS-related mortality. 

But the Karnataka numbers have brought the concern of young people's vulnerability to infection. The biggest challenge is no longer simply whether HIV can be treated. It is whether people will get tested early enough, have access to prevention and treatment, continue taking their medicines, and be able to live without fear of being discriminated against.

Health Conditions A-Z

health

exclusive-with-leading-hiv-expert-whats-driving-rising-hiv-cases-among-young-people-and-how-to-prevent-it

prep

hiv cases india

hiv cases karnataka

ishwar gilada

national aids control programme

HIV- Human Immunodeficiency Disease

Exclusive With Leading HIV Expert: What's Driving Rising HIV Cases Among India's Youth And How To Prevent It

leptospirosis-cases-surge-in-manila-after-floods-what-to-know

Leptospirosis Cases Surge In Manila After Floods: What To Know

weight-loss-surgery-may-improve-irregular-periods-and-other-pmos-symptoms

Weight Loss Surgery May Improve Irregular Periods And Other PMOS Symptoms

Health & Wellness

8 Sit-Up Variations to Strengthen Your Core and Build Stability

Benefits Of Ayurvedic Health Supplement Ashwagandha

9 Anti-Inflammatory Breakfast Options You Should Try

5 Foods You Should Avoid For PCOS, Says Gynecologist

Love Sitting With Your Legs Crossed? Here’s You Should Avoid It

6 Daily Foods That Are Secretly Increasing Your Calories

9 Brain Boosters You Should Do Everyday

Hip Exercises That Will Keep You Flexible As You Age

9 Leg Exercises Office Workers’ Should Do At Home

Benefits of Having Herbal Tea Every Morning

9 Daily Habits That Boost Your Brain Power

Lower-Body Exercises That Are Game-Changers

How Drinking Apple Cider Vinegar Helps You

Aging Myths You Should Never Believe

Superfoods That Support Your Gut Health

What Happens To Your Body When You Eat Instant Noodles Every Day?

Health Issues Premature Babies Often Face

Exercises Office Workers Should Do For Their Heart Health

Reasons Why You Should Add Raw Turmeric To Your Diet

Benefits Of Drinking Milk At Night: Why You Should Do It

Food That Provides Vitamin B12 Naturally In Your Diet

Surprising Health Benefits Of Fenugreek Seeds

9 Superfoods You Should Eat For Your Brain Health

What Does Mental Health Support Look Like At Work?

Long Stretches You Should Do To Unwind From Your Day

Colon Cancer In Young Adults: Early Symptoms You Should Know

Health Benefits Of Eating Dry Fruits Everyday

Are You At Risk For Fried Rice Syndrome?

These Tests Reveal How Well You Are Aging

Lower-Back Exercises You Should Do After A Long-Day's Work

Children’s Diet – What Kids Need To Eat For Immunity Building

Common Diabetes Myths That Could Hurt Your Health

Love Spicy Food? Here’s How It Affects Your Health

Superfood List: Veggies And Fruits You Must Have For Immunity

Foods People With IBS Should Avoid

Exercises To Improve Digestion

Easy Work Lunches You Can Make In The Morning

Hunger Vs Craving: Difference Explained In 60 seconds

These Things Can Cause Your Heart To Age Faster

High Carb Foods That Are Actually Healthy

Recent reports of more than 7,000 people aged 18 to 25 testing HIV positive in Karnataka have put the spotlight on HIV among India's younger population. The development has prompted the Karnataka government to expand HIV awareness, counselling, and voluntary testing initiatives across colleges. But the numbers raise a bigger question: are young people actually seeing higher HIV transmission, or are more infections simply being detected? In an exclusive conversation with HealthandMe, Dr. Ishwar Gilada, President Emeritus, AIDS Society of India and a globally acclaimed HIV/STI/ infectious diseases expert, shed light on the recent trends and patterns of HIV cases in India in the last few years. He also explained the shifting nature of HIV awareness, sexual behaviour, testing and prevention in India. Factors Driving HIV Risk Among Young Population 1. The Cohort Effect According to the doctor, India's HIV epidemic initially showed a steady increase after the first cases were identified in 1986 until at least 2005. He said cases were static from 2005 to 2010 and even started going down till 2020. He said that we started seeing an increase again in the last five to six years. The doctor attributed the sudden increase in cases to what he described as a “cohort effect” which is affecting people born around or after 2000. He explains, "Cohort affects those who are born, whom we call millennium babies, who are born either in 2000 or after that. Millennium babies, who are now 20-25 are more vulnerable." 2. Lack of HIV Awareness Campaigns The doctor believes another reason could be that young people today were not exposed to the intensive HIV awareness campaigns that existed during the early 2000s. He says, “They are vulnerable because high-profile campaigns for HIV awareness were there from around 2000 to 2005. After that, they stopped as improved HIV treatment started.”Also read: Thailand’s HIV Cases Cross 550,000 In 2026; Over 25,000 Among 15–24s3. Changing Sexual Behaviour The doctor said another important factor is the changing nature of sexual relationships and how people perceive risk. “Earlier it was believed that if you frequent red light areas, you may pick up HIV from sex workers. But young people say that we don't go to red light areas.” According to the doctor, this perception can be misleading because sexual contact can occur in many different settings like massage parlours where one may also have access to services related to sex work. He also pointed towards sexual relationships involving multiple partners. He says that there is a lot of interpersonal sexual contact happening and without any commitment with unknown partners. He says, "They do not consider them either self or that person at risk.” He also highlighted HIV risk among homosexual men. He says, "After Section 377 has been repealed, same sex among has become more frequent. They do not consider themselves to be at high risk because they think that they are not having sex with the female or a sex worker.” 4. PrEP And PEP Awareness Are Misunderstood The doctor also raised an interesting concern about growing awareness of HIV prevention medicines like PrEP and PEP. “There is awareness about PEP, post-exposure prophylaxis, and pre-exposure prophylaxis. So what they started thinking even if we take a risk, there is a PEP available. If we have to take a risk, we can take a PrEP and we can have a medicine and then we can have sex.” He also said people may selectively use prevention based on how risky they believe another person appears. The result, he said, is a potentially dangerous mismatch between perceived risk and actual risk. 5. Stigma May Stop People From Testing And Taking Treatment The fear of being identified as someone living with HIV can become a barrier to diagnosis and treatment. For younger people, the problem can be even more difficult because they may live with their families and have little privacy. The doctor said society needs to recognise that HIV is now a manageable infection. “Society has to accept that this is now infection, manageable, better than diabetes, better than many other diseases.” He also argued that stigma is not confined to the public. “We have to blame medical community.” He alleged that in healthcare, patients continue to get treated differently. He recalled a case involving one of his patients who was hospitalised. He says, “One of my patients told me they wrote they had written HIV positive on my bed when I was hospitalised. So, if this is the way you are discriminating, that person won't be maintaining his anonymity of HIV that he did for 25 years.”Also read: Tivicay: US FDA Approves Drug to Treat HIV In NewbornsHow To Prevent HIV Transmission? 1. HIV Self-Testing Should Be Improved The doctor identified HIV self-testing as one area where he believes India's programme could be strengthened. He says, “One of the flaws of the national program is home HIV testing kit is not allowed in the program. Though you can buy the home testing kit on Amazon,it is not available in the program. So marginalised people will not get tested.” He also raised concerns about the price of commercially available kits. He says kits that cost Rs 700 to 800 must not priced more than Rs 100 to 200. 2. Limited Access To PrEP PrEP, or pre-exposure prophylaxis, was another area the doctor believes requires greater attention. “PrEP is not part of the national program,” he said, adding that PrEP has been approved in India but is not sufficiently integrated into the public programme. He said if this is fixed, people who are not aware of their HIV status will also try to find out. 3. HIV Stigma Remains A Major Problem One of the strongest messages the doctor gives is how HIV treatment has changed dramatically, but it is still stigmastised. He explained that treatment can also suppress the virus to the point where sexual transmission does not occur. He says, “HIV treatment is so powerful that a person with HIV can stay alive for as much as the normal lifespan of any person in the.” But while treatment has transformed HIV medically, the doctor said society has not kept pace. “Currently, the major killer, if at all, we can call, is the stigma and discrimination.”Also read: Unlicensed Injection Business Sparks Health Alert In Canada: How HIV & Hepatitis Spread Through Medical Procedures4. People Should Not Wait For SymptomsAnother important point the doctor stressed is that HIV can remain clinically silent for years. But as the immune system becomes progressively weakened, the person becomes vulnerable to infections that would ordinarily be easier for the body to fight. “Talking about symptoms, when virus multiplies initially, the person will have no symptoms. It takes two to four years, five or even 10 years' time. If you wait till you fall sick, then a lot of valuable time will pass.” His message was therefore to test and start treatment before advanced immune damage occurs.             5. Prevention Should Go Beyond AwarenessWhen asked about prevention, the doctor divided it into pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches. He emphasised upon safe sex and reducing exposure to multiple sexual partners. The larger lesson from his interview is that HIV prevention cannot depend on a single intervention. It requires testing, treatment, condoms, PrEP and PEP where appropriate, harm-reduction measures, awareness and, perhaps most importantly, an environment where people are not afraid to seek care. The Bigger HIV Challenge India has made significant progress against HIV over the past several decades. The government has reported substantial reductions in new HIV infections since 2010, while the National AIDS Control Programme continues to focus on prevention, testing, treatment and reducing AIDS-related mortality. But the Karnataka numbers have brought the concern of young people's vulnerability to infection. The biggest challenge is no longer simply whether HIV can be treated. It is whether people will get tested early enough, have access to prevention and treatment, continue taking their medicines, and be able to live without fear of being discriminated against.

exclusive with leading hiv expert: what's driving rising hiv cases among young people and how to prevent it

About Us

Contact Us

Terms & Conditions

Privacy Policy

Company

Health and Me is a premium website with content written and curated to function as a handbook for all Health concerns.

Exclusive With Leading HIV Expert: What's Driving Rising HIV Cases Among Young People And How To Prevent It

World Physiotherapy Day - Beyond Surgery: Why Physiotherapy Decides How Well You Really Heal

Exclusive: GLP-1 Drugs Are The ‘New Statins’, Says University Hospital Birmingham Professor

Fact-Check Rahul Dua’s Cancer Claims: Immunotherapy Isn’t Always Better, ‘Superfoods’ Don’t Cure

Health Conditions A-Z

Exclusive With Leading HIV Expert: What's Driving Rising HIV Cases Among India's Youth And How To Prevent It

Leptospirosis Cases Surge In Manila After Floods: What To Know

Weight Loss Surgery May Improve Irregular Periods And Other PMOS Symptoms