Communicable Disease that Can Be Prevented
According to the data in the possession of the National Public Health Centre (NPHC), from 1988 when the first case was documented until 2022, 697 cases of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) were diagnosed in Lithuania. Here, as in all Europe, HIV is being diagnosed too late, when the disease is already in the advanced stage. Hence NPHC specialists point out at the opportunity to test for HIV.
What is HIV?
HIV infection affects a person's immune system. A person infected with HI virus becomes vulnerable to other diseases such as tuberculosis, cancer, etc. Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is the most advanced stage of the disease, when an HIV infected person develops certain opportunistic infections such as Kaposi's sarcoma, HIV wasting syndrome, esophageal candidiasis, etc. According to the data from United Nations Programme on HIV/ AIDS (UNAIDS), 630 thousand people died of AIDS related disease worldwide in 2022.
It is important to note that HIV-infected people on antiretroviral drugs have a reduced risk of transmitting HIV to their sexual partners as the virus is inhibited from multiplying in the body. Therefore, early diagnosis and treatment are very important not only to improve the health of people living with HIV, but also to prevent the spread of HIV.
How is HIV transmitted?
The source of infection is an HIV-infected person. HIV is transmitted during sexual intercourse, through blood, and from mother to child during pregnancy or childbirth. This virus does not spread through coughing, sneezing, hugging, shaking hands, or sharing personal items.
Testing for HIV
For HIV one may test by taking a free of charge selective rapid HIV test in non-governmental organizations and low-threshold service offices. A rapid self-test is available in pharmacies and online stores.
Last updated: 14-09-2023
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