The regional sexual health campaign ran until June 5, but its prevention focus extends far beyond that. The Agen-Nérac hospital center is taking part.
The Covid-19 epidemic has had an impact on other infections. Particularly in terms of HIV screening, which during the health crisis recorded a significant drop in the spontaneous use of self-tests, dedicated associations and free screening centers, indicates Dr. Elise Klement Frutos, internal medicine doctor, infectious disease specialist and specialist in public health at the Agen-Nérac hospital centre.
The first confinement in the spring of 2020 led to a delay in the diagnosis of seropositivity and an increase in the circulation of infections. The same trend was observed for other Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), which treated in time do not have serious consequences.
Carrier, while unaware of his HIV status
“The health crisis has led to a drop in the discovery of new confirmed cases of HIV in 2021 by 22% and screening by around 14% between 2020 and 2021, which means that people were carriers of HIV without the know. On the other hand, there has been an increase in the number of cases of syphilis and gonococcal infections during Covid. This week of sexual health is an opportunity to open the floor with family and friends, and to fight against serophobia against HIV/AIDS and discrimination, whether in the environment or in the professional sphere.People must be encouraged to get tested for HIV in a city laboratory, which is always possible without a prescription , and also strengthen screening for sexually transmitted diseases (chlamydia, gonococci, hepatitis, syphilis) by pushing the door of the CeGIDD (Free Center for Information, Screening and Diagnosis of Infections by the Immunodeficiency Virus). human science, viral hepatitis and sexually transmitted infections) in the hospital, but also with gynecologists for women and gastroenterologists for men. We want to relay this information. Young people are not monitored regularly. Some engage in risky behavior. These centers offer support to detect these sexually transmitted pathologies. Professionals assess risk-taking, discuss modes of protection, prevention, contraception”, argues the infectious disease doctor from Agen hospital.
Young people under 25 affected by HIV
Dr. Klement Frutos regrets that the diagnoses revealed after the latency period of the epidemic revealed “advanced stages of seropositivity, much higher than the early stage. De facto people, susceptible to developing symptoms and AIDS , whereas if they had been treated and kept HIV-positive with one pill a day and few side effects, there would have been no transmission of disease and viral load. less than 25 years old affected by HIV, but also appear patients of 60 years old”.
It should be noted that the anti-HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) vaccination plan is a means of preventing cancer of the cervix and other anogenital cancers caused by HPV infection. The vaccine is recommended for all adolescents from 11 to 14 years old, with a possible catch-up until the age of 19 or before the first sexual intercourse.