"World Aids Day on December 1 also reminds us of a pandemic that has existed for 40 years, not just two," says Dr. Uschi Traub, the doctor responsible for HIV counseling and testing at the public health department. This pandemic is still costing 78 lives worldwide every hour.
Kevin Dichtl from the health promotion department came up with the idea for the podcasts. He moderates the episodes and receives technical support from Severin Köhler from the Ludwigsburg District Office. The first podcast is about information on the HI virus and AIDS, transmission, protection options, etc. The listener gets to know the HIV specialist Dr. Erich Zeh and his patient Mihajlo R.. How has life changed for those affected since the introduction of anti-retroviral combination therapy?
In episode 2, listeners hear the incredible life story of HIV-positive Petra G. from drug addiction and prostitution to a family with an HIV-negative partner and son and dedicated voluntary work. Her husband Michael also talks about what everyday life is like with an HIV-positive person.
Episode 3 focuses on the topic of "discrimination". Daniela P. lost a leg in an accident at a young age and was infected with HIV through a blood transfusion. Dr. Uschi Traub reports on the various forms of discrimination that clients have experienced over the years. HIV has become a treatable, chronic disease, but discrimination can have serious consequences.
World Aids Day also serves to remind those responsible in politics, the media, business and society - worldwide as well as in Europe and Germany - that the HI virus is still far from being defeated. The topic of Aids and HIV continues to need attention, resources and empathy. This is what World Aids Day is all about: only together can we prevent infections, improve access to treatment and combat discrimination. This year, the motto of World Aids Day is "End inequalities. End AIDS. End the pandemic."
Info block:
Around 38 million people worldwide are living with HIV, including 1.7 million children.
A child or young person between the ages of 10 and 19 is currently infected every three to four minutes - 87 die every day.
The WHO's "90-90-90" target has not yet been reached internationally: only 84% of those infected know their status, 73% have access to treatment and 66% are effectively treated.
Around 91,400 people are living with HIV in Germany today - more people than ever before!
- First HIV diagnoses in 2020: 2,600 people
- Despite treatment options, 380 people died from and with AIDS in 2020
- More than 40 effective drugs enable a normal life expectancy and quality of life when used early, but even in Germany
➢ Every 10th infection is not detected,
➢ one third only with advanced immunodeficiency and
➢ every 6th infection is only diagnosed with full-blown AIDS.
In many parts of the world, the coronavirus pandemic has meant that the supply of medication against the immunodeficiency disease is not running smoothly. Corona could lead to almost 300,000 additional HIV infections and more than 100,000 deaths in 2020 alone.
In Germany, the overload of health authorities due to the coronavirus has led to severe restrictions on anonymous testing services.
In addition, many people are avoiding visits to the doctor for fear of contracting SARS-CoV-2 despite symptoms.
Over three-quarters of HIV-positive people experience discrimination in everyday life - one in five have even been refused medical or dental treatment due to their infection.
