ON 15-22May, NPHC Invites to Get Tested for HIV and Hepatitis
From 15 to 22 May 2023 it is Spring European Testing Week, in its eleventh year now. It aims to unite partner organisations throughout Europe for one week to increase access to testing and promote awareness on the benefits of earlier Hepatitis and HIV testing. The National Public Health Centre under the Ministry of Health (NPHC), joining this initiative, reminds everyone of the danger posed by the diseases and who is at highest risk of contracting them. It also reminds how the testing can be done in the country.
"Both HIV and viral Hepatitis B and C may not show any symptoms for several years or even decades, nevertheless continue to progress. In addition, people infected with these diseases can infect others without even knowing it. Therefore, it is recommended to assess the risks of transmission of the infections and get tested. According to the World Health Organization, 95 percent people with hepatitis do not know that they are infected, and HIV infection, according to the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control, is diagnosed late, i.e. several years after infection, in every second person in EU/EEA," points out Kęstutis Rudaitis, chief specialist of the Communicable Disease Management Department at NPHC.
How to find out if a person is infected with HIV or Hepatitis?
To find out if a person is infected, a blood test is required. For all these diseases, separate testing is conducted.
Primary (selective) testing for HIV can be done in clinics, family medicine centers and other health care facilities. FREE and ANONYMOUS selective rapid tests can be performed at Low Threshold Centre.
All residents of the country, born between 1945 and 1994, and not classified as a risk group, can be tested for Hepatitis C free of charge. To get tested contact your family doctor for referral.
All these tests can be self-conducted by using a rapid test. "Rapid HIV, HBV or VHC tests can be purchased in pharmacies or online stores. A positive result must be confirmed by a laboratory test, therefore a person with a positive test result has to contact a health care professional immediately," explains the representative of NPHC.
Testing for HIV, viral Hepatitis B and C is especially recommended to:
• Persons who have had sex with people infected with HIV or other STIs;
• Persons who have one or more casual sex partners;
• Sex workers;
• Men who have sex with men;
• Persons who have used and are using drugs and psychotropic substances;
• Pregnant women.
Although HIV infection cannot be cured, modern drugs are very effective in preventing the disease from progressing and help maintain good health and quality of life. In addition, the treatment is compensated from Compulsory Health Insurance Fund.
Viral hepatitis is treated with antiviral drugs prescribed by a doctor.
Viral hepatitis B can be prevented by vaccination (children are vaccinated in accordance with Children Vaccination Schedule).
European Testing Week is an initiative that takes place twice a year and brings together hundreds of organizations across Europe. Its aim is to expand the possibilities of testing for communicable diseases, increase public awareness and emphasize the benefits of diagnosing and treating infections as early as possible.
Last updated: 17-05-2023
Related news:
NPHC Recommendations to Residents Regarding the Fire in Šilutė
Preliminary Overview of the 2025–2026 Influenza Season
Flu Season Is Ending: Incidence Rates Lower Than at the Same Time Last Year
Respiratory infection morbidity is decreasing
NPHC Provides Guidance on How toAct When Air Pollution Increases