Everybody may have a certain risk of HIV infection and AIDS.

Men with Japanese nationals account for 80%.
Nearly 70% of HIV/AIDS cases was reported as infection among men who have sex with men.

In 2018, the number of cases diagnosed with HIV/AIDS in Tokyo was 422, which accounts for about one-third of the total number of HIV/AIDS cases in Japan. Of these cases in Tokyo, men with Japanese nationals account for 81.0% and infection among men who have sex with men account for 74.4%.

Everyone may have chance of getting infected with HIV regardless of age.

• In Tokyo, HIV infected cases in their 20s and 30s account for the largest proportion of all cases.
• In Tokyo,AIDS cases in their 30s and 40s account for the largest population of all cases.
• It is reported that some cases have developed symptoms of AIDS in their 20s.

*HIV-infected cases are referred to as people who are infected with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus).
*AIDS cases are referred to as people with a weakened immune system caused by HIV infection who are susceptible to pathogens with which they do not usually become infected and have developed various diseases.

The number of reported syphilis cases was the second highest ever. It has increased in both young and working-age men and women.

In 2018, the number of people diagnosed with syphilis infection in Tokyo was 1,775, 13 fewer than the previous year. However, it was the second highest number since 1999 when syphilis surveillance was launched under the Act on the Prevention of Infectious Diseases and Medical Care for Patients with Infectious Diseases. Though the transmission of syphilis among men who have sex with men accounted for the many syphilis infections recently, the number of reported syphilis infections through heterosexual contact has been rapidly increasing in both men and women since 2014. In 2018, the number of women infected with syphilis through heterosexual contact was higher than the number of men through heterosexual contact. In Tokyo, syphilis infected men in their 20s, 30s, and 40s account for the largest population and the number of women in their 20s has dramatically increased. In order to prevent syphilis infections, we recommend both of sexual partners to have (regular) screening test for syphilis. It's nice if you come to have syphilis test with your partner. Syphilis tests are available along with HIV tests at local public health centers and voluntary anonymous testing and counseling offices.

• Syphilis can be transmitted through oral sex and kissing.
• Syphilis causes painless sores or ulcers even if symptoms develop. Sometimes there may be no signs and symptoms.
• Patients with syphilis won’t acquire immunity to prevent another syphilis infection and can have it repeatedly.
• You may become infected through contact with the skin that is not covered by a condom.

Preventable

HIV transmission can be prevented. When used correctly, condoms are effective to protect from HIV transmission.

It is important to be tested for HIV infection.

You will develop AIDS if you don’t receive any treatment after infected with HIV.
You may not find any signs and symptoms for several years or sometimes more than decades even after getting HIV. Thus, the only way to check your HIV status is to be tested.
Even if you are infected, progression to AIDS can be prevented if treated early.
It is important to be tested in a timely manner. HIV/AIDS is everyone’s problem. Please take action for yourself instead of seeing it as someone else’s problem.
In Tokyo, anonymousfree testing is available at local health centers and HIV voluntary counseling and testing offices.