Kerala records worrying spike in HIV infections among youngsters
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala: HIV infections are increasing among young people aged 15 to 24, according to the latest figures released by the Kerala State AIDS Control Society (KSACS).
In 2022, young people accounted for 9% of all HIV cases reported in Kerala. This rose to 12% in 2023, 14.2% in 2024, and 15.4% between April and October 2025. The society warned that careless lifestyle choices among youth are contributing to this surge.
Unprotected sexual intercourse and sharing of needles among drug users are the main reasons young people are becoming HIV-positive. Many were infected even after a single instance of unsafe sexual contact, officials said.
Another challenge is ensuring continuity of treatment for migrant workers with HIV, as many do not have proper addresses or phone numbers. This also makes it difficult to test and treat their partners.
23,608 HIV patients in Kerala; 100 new cases every month
Kerala currently has 23,608 people living with HIV. Nationally, the number stands at 25 lakh. In 2024 alone, 6,300 cases were detected across India, including 1,213 in Kerala, an average of 100 new cases every month.
Between April and October this year, 818 new cases were identified in the state.
Data from April 2022 to 2025 show that among 4,477 infected persons,
- 62.5% had unsafe sexual contact with multiple partners
- 24.6% were infected through homosexuality
- 8.1% through needle-sharing among drug users
- 0.9% of infants contracted the virus from their mothers during pregnancy
- 3.7% have no identifiable source of infection
Of those infected over the past three years, 3,393 are men, 1,065 are women, and 19 are transgender persons.
Project Director Dr Peeyush M. Namboothiripad said the Kerala State AIDS Control Society has launched a new campaign to prevent the spread of HIV and syphilis. He stressed that pregnant women must be tested for HIV and syphilis within the first three months of pregnancy.