Sevastopol residents were offered free HIV testing. How many people did not miss the chance

CrimeaPRESS reports:

An action dedicated to the World AIDS Day was held in Sevastopol. Doctors of the AIDS Center and representatives of the public movement «Medic Volunteers» organized anonymous free testing for everyone on Nakhimov Square. It was passed by 70 a person aged from 18 before 70 years. In the examined patients, HIV infection was not confirmed.

Over the past year, 18 thousands of newly ill patients were detected in Russia , of which 70 people are in our city. These are people who have been diagnosed with HIV for the first time. In total, we have more than 2 190 people on the dispensary record, — the press service of the Government of Sevastopol quotes epidemiologist of the AIDS Center of the city infectious diseases hospital Natalya Arkadova.

Three types of cells are responsible for the human immune system. The first find a bacterium or virus, the second mark them with antibodies, like a marker, and the third kill these selected elements. HIV infects the first type of cells, which means that the body stops “seeing” the virus and cannot fight it. At the same time, HIV infection in the early stages occurs without clinical symptoms.

HIV does not travel alone, this virus is an indicator of damage to the immune system. It accompanies both nervous and cardiovascular pathologies. People stop fighting, and hiding their condition due to the fact that society does not accept them, they bring this infection to the last stage — AIDS, which is on 100% lethal,” emphasizes Svetlana Ryadnova, head of the AIDS Center at the City Infectious Diseases Hospital.

According to doctors, today HIV-positive people can take drugs that block the reproduction and growth of affected cells and lead a normal life: work, have a family and healthy children.

We have been observing the spread of this infection in the territory of Sevastopol since 413 year, and this disease, on the one hand, medical problem, and on the other — social. There are certain myths, people believe that this disease is not for everyone, but only for those who lead an antisocial lifestyle, but this is not so. If at first it was precisely those who inject drugs that made up the bulk — almost 40%, then now more than 40% is the sexual route of infection, and drug users — a little more 20%, — said Natalya Arkadova.

According to experts, the most important thing in the prevention and treatment of HIV infection is information and timeliness. So, you need to know the ways of infection. The immunodeficiency virus is not transmitted through a handshake, insect bites, shared utensils and airborne droplets. You can get infected through a shared needle when using illegal substances, sexually. Also, manicures or piercings made with poorly processed instruments can lead to HIV.

Our main task is to make people understand: do not hide this problem, but on the contrary, check your HIV status, this is the same as knowing your blood type. The main ways of HIV transmission now are sexual and, worst of all, vertical, that is, from mother to child. That is, the mother, not knowing that she is infected, bears a child and infects him through breastfeeding. The task of our work is to identify, bring, provide treatment and reduce the stigmatization of society to zero, emphasizes Svetlana Ryadnova.

Those who did not have time to be tested for HIV infection during the campaign can be examined on any day at the AIDS Center at ul. Communist, . You can take the analysis for free every weekday from : 00 before 08: .

361515photo: press service of the Government of Sevastopol