The occasion is serious: on December 1, World AIDS Day is a reminder of the importance of early testing for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).According to the Robert Koch Institute, new HIV infections have recently risen and more than 97,000 people are living with HIV in Germany - but around 10 percent are unaware of their infection. Syphilis and hepatitis C cases have also shown an upward trend in recent years. Early detection can save lives and protect against further infection.
The tests are carried out exclusively by doctors and employees of the health department. With just a few drops of blood from the fingertip, the results are available after a few minutes. The tests for HIV and syphilis are free of charge, for the hepatitis C test the health department is happy to receive a small donation.
To accompany the campaign, the city of Ludwigsburg is offering a small supporting program: prizes can be won on the wheel of fortune and quiz questions can be answered - a fun opportunity to get to grips with the topic of health.
How the tests work
The INSTI multiplex HIV/syphilis test, which detects antibodies against HIV-1, HIV-2 and syphilis, and the INSTI HCV antibody test are used for testing. A reactive rapid test can subsequently be checked by a confirmation test with venous blood. Important: At least twelve weeks should pass after a possible risk contact before the test is carried out in order to obtain a meaningful result.
The message of the campaign: those who get tested early protect themselves and others. The health department in cooperation with the city of Ludwigsburg invites all citizens to take advantage of this important offer and to take responsibility for their own health. For further information, please contact the staff of the Health Promotion and Health Planning Department at the Health Department of the Ludwigsburg District Office, Hindenburgstr. 20/1, 71638 Ludwigsburg, Tel. 07141 144-2520, e-mail: gesundheitsfoerderung[at]landkreis-ludwigsburg.de.
