For the third consecutive year, the HIV Testing Unit of the Red Cross Service, in collaboration with Luxemourg's Ministry of Health, is organising the national HIV testing week.
This week, which runs from 26 to 30 June 2017, is an opportunity to remind people that HIV testing is the only sure way to know their HIV status, i.e. whether they were infected with HIV or not.
Globally, the number of new HIV infections has declined and the number of AIDS-related deaths has decreased.
Between 2000 and 2015, the number of new HIV infections declined by 35%, and the number of AIDS-related deaths decreased by 42% worldwide. Nevertheless, with more than 36 million deaths to date, and 2.1 million new infections a year, HIV continues to be a major public health problem.
Some 36.7 million people today are living with HIV worldwide, and many are unaware of their HIV status. The rate of infection remains high. Access to early treatment is essential in ensuring that HIV does not spread further and that those affected can now live an almost normal life.
In Luxembourg, estimates indicate that 20% of people living with HIV do not know
In 2016, in Luxembourg, 98 new cases were identified, 73 men and 25 women.
The main mode of contamination is heterosexual sex (39), followed by homo-sexual / bi-sexual sex (32) and intravenous drug injections (21), especially in the 26-35 age group. The serious increase in the number of infections among intravenous drug users in recent years is of great concern.
In Luxembourg, just over 1,000 people are living with HIV, and estimates suggest that 20% of people living with HIV do not know because they have not tested; Today, it is quite possible to live with HIV and to look to the future. Indeed, current treatments make it possible to control the virus to the point of avoiding the appearance of opportunistic diseases, but above all, they allow those infected to live a full life and to have children. The only condition to have access to these treatments is to know if one is infected and for this, one thing is necessary: Take the test!
It is therefore essential to continue to carry out actions and information and awareness-raising campaigns, targeting in particular drug addicts, prostitutes and marginalised society; To recall the messages of prevention and protection, i.e. the systematic use of condoms during sexual relations with a partner whose serological status is unknown; To encourage early detection through HIV testing, so that treatment can begin as early as possible, thereby reducing the risk of further contamination.
The National HIV Testing Week will run from 26 to 30 June 2017: free and anonymous testing
From 26 to 30 June 2017, it will be possible to carry out a free and anonymous blood-screening test in the various antennas of the laboratories of Forges du Sud, KetterThill and other laboratories as well as throughout the year at the Emile Mayrisch hospital in Esch-sur-Alzette, the Cetre Hospitlier Luxembourg, the Center Hospitalier du Nord in Ettelbruck, and the National Health Laboratory.
The Red Cross's Mobile Sexual Health Intervention System (DIMPS), which offers the possibility of an HIV test by a rapid test, will be present at the Luxembourg train station etwee 11: 00 and 15:00 on Monday, 26 June. It will also be possible to carry out rapid, free and anonymous screening tests every working day of the Red Cross HIV Testing unit at 94 Boulevard General Patton, from 17:00 to 19:00.
For more information, see www.croix-rouge.lu and www.dimps.lu
