Malaria increases the spread of Aids

More and more people die from Aids in Africa (Photo: BBC)

The study, published in the journal Science, says the two diseases interact to spread faster. When people with Aids are infected with malaria, the amount of HIV virus in their blood increases so that their risk of infection increases. Meanwhile, HIV carriers are also at higher risk of malaria.

These two diseases are the main cause of death in Africa. Scientists studying the rapid spread of HIV-Aids epidemic in Kisumu city in Kenya show that HIV spreads faster if it is linked to malaria rather than just high-risk sexual activity. They argue that malaria increases the number of HIV by 10 times and can be transmitted to partners more easily.

Infection with many diseases

Laith Abu-Raddad, a co-author of the study conducted by Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and the University of Washington, said: " This biological resonance has played a significant role in the spread of Aids. through sexually transmitted infections ".

Another co-author, James Kublin of Hutchinson Center, said: " The immune system inversely weakened by HIV has increased the rate of malaria infection and made more and more people infected with malaria in Africa. " .

Experts estimate tens of thousands of cases of HIV infection, perhaps 5% of all infected people - as well as millions of malaria cases - stem from the interaction between these two diseases. The new study is of particular importance in protecting public health, emphasizing calling on governments in the sub-Saharan region to address two types of diseases at the same time.

Dr. Kublin also said diseases such as tuberculosis and sexually transmitted acne can also increase the risk of infection.