Ludhiana, Feb. 26 -- Intravenous drug users (IDUs) have come to account for most of the HIV patients in Ludhiana. The percentage of IDUs in HIV patients has risen from just 12.8% of the total patients in 2010 to 59.16% of patients reported in 2024.

In 2010, the district saw 794 HIV cases and of these only 1,012 were IDUs. In 2024, the district saw 1,658 cases and of these 981 were IDUs.

Besides HIV, IDUs also have come to make the majority of Hepatitis C and Hepatitis B viruses. Of the 3,985 Hepatitis C cases reported in the district since 2019, 2,503 are IDUs and of the 299 Hepatitis B cases reported, 185 are IDUs.

"There is a significant increase in people getting HIV due to sharing unsterilised needles. Earlier the biggest reason fo...