From November 23 to 30, call for free HIV tests in the central market

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As part of the European HIV Testing Week, the Baltic HIV Association invites anyone interested to take a free HIV test in the root pavilion of the Riga Central Market on Friday 30 November. Between 12:00 and 16:00, visitors will be offered a free anonymous HIV test and an opportunity to test their tolerance – to greet or disapprove an HIV-positive person.

From 23 to 30 November, just before World AIDS Day, celebrated on 1 December, a European HIV testing week will take place in more than 30 European countries. It aims to raise public awareness of the importance of timely and regular HIV testing.

Unfortunately, HIV has long broken the boundaries of these groups and can endanger all members of the community. A high proportion of new HIV-positive patients are infected with the virus during heterobadual contact. These are middle-aged people enjoying a good education, a job and a social status. Therefore, during the test week, all people are asked to check their health and HIV status.

"At a time when the restriction of HIV treatment is finally being lifted in Latvia and every HIV-positive person has access to treatment, it is very important to quickly search for HIV-positive patients and start treatment. minimizing the effects of the virus on the body, making the viral load undetectable, and that the person himself is not contagious to others.Therefore, HIV treatment is the best prevention, but the treatment is also necessary, "says Inga Upmace, head of the Baltic HIV Association.

There are currently 5,576 HIV-positive people in Latvia, but an international HERMETIC study conducted by RSU in Latvia suggests that the actual number of people infected in Latvia is over 1,800. Thus, a quarter of people infected with HIV do not know their HIV status. The test is the only way to know your status. An HIV test can be performed at the HIV prophylaxis points, and the HIV test is also available in all laboratories in Latvia.