About 300 people in Lithuania may not know that they are infected with HIV

In Lithuania, more than 90% It is known that HIV infection is infected with HIV. According to the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Lithuania is one of the most advanced in Europe, according to the Center for Communicable Diseases and AIDS (ULAC).

According to the latest data from the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control, the average of this indicator in Europe is 80%. According to the United Nations Program against AIDS, the average of this indicator is 75%, t. y One-quarter of HIV-positive people are unaware that they are infected with the human immunodeficiency virus.

According to Dr. I. Čaplinskienė, Head of the HIV and Hepatitis Surveillance Department of ULAC, about 250 to 300 people may still be infected with HIV in Lithuania, but they do not know that they are infected and can therefore transmit HIV infection without knowing it.

This week is the European Week of HIV / Hepatitis, which draws public attention to the importance of understanding early detection of HIV and hepatitis. If these infections are resolved in time, free treatment is given.

The test week began on Friday, November 23rd and will run until November 30th.

Every week, the test week is one week before World AIDS Day (1 December).

Throughout the week of the test, clinicians will inform the public about the threats posed by HIV and hepatitis, features that deserve special attention and suspected infection. by HIV and hepatitis.

Who is recommended for HIV testing?

First, HIV recommends controlling those who complain of: coughing for more than a month; often (more than 2 times a year) you have pneumonia, bronchitis, throat, ears and other inflammations; if you have fever for more than a month; if you have diarrhea for more than a month; without causing weight loss (more than 10%); if you experience fatigue and weakness permanently; have many nights to sweat; sick with tuberculosis; increased lymph nodes in the neck, armpits or groin; if you have bad, oral, esophageal or throat candidiasis; if you have mouth ulcers and bad ulcers that do not go away for more than a month. and in other conditions that can be found on the ULAC website during the weekly test.

Who is controlled for viral hepatitis B and C?

For viral hepatitis B and C, it is recommended to check: if you were transported blood / blood products until 1993; whether surgical operations (also by caesarean section) or invasive procedures have been performed; liver enzymes (ALT, AST) for unexplained reasons; hemodialysis patients; hemophilia and other blood diseases; organs and blood donors; people after organ transplantation; medical staff; children whose mothers had hepatitis during pregnancy and delivery; if a family member is diagnosed with hepatitis; pregnant women; once intravenously and in other cases.

According to the latest data from the Center for Infectious Diseases and ADS, HIV infection in Lithuania was diagnosed in 3,133 people, including one in five and AIDS and one in seven deaths for various reasons.

The official incidence of acute hepatitis B and C in Lithuania tends to decrease.

Given the natural course of viral hepatitis, the incidence of hepatitis B and C is greater than that officially recorded (the majority of hepatitis show no symptoms, patients do not go to the doctor and diseases are not registered).

Lrt.lt