# Bengaluru HIV cases up; health department boosts awareness 2026-08-12T17:28:43+00:00 | Health & Science | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet 4,795 people tested HIV-positive in Karnataka over the last five months, with Bengaluru seeing a sharp rise among young adults. Health officials say nearly 20-25% of new infections involve unmarried individuals, and men who have sex with men remain a high-risk group. The Health Department has stepped up awareness campaigns in colleges, hostels, and workplaces, focusing on safe sexual practices and early testing. Officials blame changing social behaviour and increased use of dating apps for the trend. Testing remains voluntary and confidential. Karnataka State AIDS Prevention Society Project Director Padma Basavanthappa said outreach is being intensified among vulnerable groups including students, IT employees, migrant workers, and truckers. The department urged people to avoid HIV stigma and undergo voluntary testing. ## Coverage - thehansindia.com Tags: AIDS, awareness campaigns, Bengaluru, health department, HIV, Karnataka Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/bengaluru-hiv-cases-up-health-department-boosts-awareness/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/bengaluru-hiv-cases-up-health-department-boosts-awareness/#story-in-brief Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes.