Over 16,000 patients have enrolled to receive anti-retro viral drugs at the Fever's Unit of the Korle Bu Teaching hospital between December 2003 to date.Another 6,000 are already on the list of the Unit, receiving medication for the HIV virus.This revelation was made by Ms. Janet - May Ayi, Deputy Director of Nursing Services in charge of the Fever Unit of the Korle Bu teaching hospital.In an exclusive interview with Ms. Ayi, she said between December 2003 till now, adverts on anti retro-viral (ARV) drugs had attracted more than 16,000 new HIV patients who have enrolled on the unit’s list to receive the ARV drug treatment.She also revealed that 6,000 patients were already on the ARV drugs receiving treatment for the HIV virus.Ms. Ayi stressed that HIV/AIDS was no longer as deadly as it was perceived to be in the past since science has made available drugs that do not cure the disease but help manage it.She said a patient on the ARV treatment could go about their regular duties and live long without having to worry about untimely deaths caused by the virus.In view of this she encouraged people to boldly find out their status so as to start managing the virus, explaining that early detection was vital for an effective management of the HIV virus.Ms. Ayi advised the youth to stick to the ABC method of prevention since it was impossible to identify an individual living with the virus.Antiretroviral therapy (ART) consists of the use of at least three antiretroviral (ARV) drugs to maximally suppress the HIV virus and stop the progression of HIV disease. Huge reductions have been seen in rates of death and suffering when use is made of a potent antiretroviral regimen.She explained that due to the complexities involved in going on the treatment, patients are taken through a series of tests, counselling sessions, assessments and other procedures before they are put on the drugs.Ms. Ayi said the Fever’s Unit of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital has not scheduled any activities to commemorate this year's World Aids Day slated for Thursday, adding that the day would be like any regular working day for the unit where patients who visit for medical assistance would be catered for.