Solidarity Marathon and Test Campaign on World AIDS Day

On December 1st, World AIDS Day has been celebrated around the world since 1988. The day was set by the UN General Assembly this year, in order to raise public awareness about the prevention and treatment of AIDS.

The UNAIDS global target of 90-90-90 proposes to increase the proportion of people living with HIV who know their diagnosis to 90%, the number of people on antiretroviral therapy to 90% and 90% to treatment. viral load removed.

According to data from this organization, the emergence of new cases of HIV has not yet been reduced.

As a result, Helios Health, the largest infectious center for HIV and viral hepatitis in Latin America, is detecting new cases in a variety of ways: through its rapid, free and confidential testing service, and other initiatives such as the marathon. solidarity on World AIDS Day.

For the second consecutive year, Helios Salud has prepared a marathon that will start from the coastal road Vicente López at 8 o'clock in the morning. with the possibility of doing 10k of running or 3k of walking, with the idea that people of all ages and all families can participate in whatever format they prefer.

The race will take place on December 1st, when the spirit of AIDS awareness is at the rendezvous. It is possible to register at once via fundacionhelios.org.ar and clubdecorredores.com.

Another central axis is based on prevention campaigns: To date, more than 50,000 tests have been performed, as Helios Salud confirmed.

In Argentina, according to the Bulletin of AIDS and ETS of the Ministry of Health of La Nación (with data from December 2017), there are 122,000 people living with HIV. 30% of this group do not know their diagnosis. Hence the importance of doing these tests.

Helios Salud conducts an average of 2,000 tests per month, placing it among the country's leading testing centers and among the private institutions that reported the highest number of notifications to the infection surveillance system. The average number of positive cases is about 4.3%. That is to say that every month more people know their diagnosis.

The procedure is as follows: the blood is taken for a test that takes between 15 and 30 minutes giving the result. If you are not in the "window" (about 30 days from the risk situation) and the result is "Non-reactive" (negative), it means that there is no no infection.

If the test result is "reactive" (positive), a second blood sample is taken and further studies are performed to arrive at a definitive diagnosis. If a positive result is confirmed, it is necessary to consult a doctor and evaluate the appropriate treatment.

She has been cared for since 1997. Helios Salud is dedicated to the follow-up and treatment of people living with HIV. Currently, he has expanded his services to treat all infectious diseases, including those that require special prevention, in addition to HIV, hepatitis C, diseases of badual and respiratory transmission, among others.

Helios is formed by a team of professionals led by Dr. Stamboulian, which works to provide personalized attention, fast and with modern technology.

"The approach is based on a comprehensive approach that includes individualized care and allows the person who arrives in the institution to see his doctor, to take a blood test and withdraw his treatment, the same day and the same place, "explain Helios. This also includes a multidisciplinary approach, so that the person is badisted by the corresponding specialist.

With the goal of increasing the proportion of HIV-positive people diagnosed in Argentina to 90%, Helios Health is constantly running advertising campaigns for HIV prevention and free HIV testing. Everything is done in order to bring early diagnosis closer to those who do not know their status vis-à-vis the virus.

It should be noted that today the facility has more than 8,700 patients, most of whom have undetectable viral loads, and that their computer and telephone support strategies have been recognized and rewarded by the Pan American Health Organization. Health (PAHO) in the country. 2010, reaching more than 90% enrollment (currently exceeding 95% of drug withdrawal).