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AIDS and Hepatitis C: where to do anonymous and free tests in the city

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AIDS and Hepatitis C: where to do anonymous and free tests in the city

AIDS and Hepatitis C should not be considered diseases of the past, just as they should not be thought of as incurable. On the contrary. Thanks to science, there are ‘powerful weapons against both. In the case of HIV the progression of the disease can be stopped, in the case of HCV it can be cured ». But prevention is essential.

The initiative «HIV and HCV concern us. I took the test and you? “, Promoted by the Municipality (which joined the global partnership Fast track cities) together with Ats, the University of Studies, the Foundation and Asst Spedali Civili and other local entities such as Croce Bianca, Il Calabrone, Cooperativa di Bessimo, Arcigay Orlando and the Municipalities of Castegnato and Ospitaletto.

How does it work

It is an action of information and awareness on the two pathologies but also of testing among the population. It is divided into four different moments – explained the municipal councilor with responsibility for Health, Donatella Albini -: today from 12 to 15 at the Medicina car park, near the Europa metro stop, adult students who want it will be able – at the middle of the White Cross – to undergo tests ” : a small blood sample (with a simple lancing device) to find out if you are positive for the AIDS virus and a salivary swab to find out if you are positive for the Hepatitis C virus.

Tomorrow the camper / ambulance will be from 5 pm to 8 pm at the Casa delle associations in San Polo, Thursday from 5 pm to 8 pm at the park La Rosa blu in via Milano, while on Friday evening an outing is scheduled along the streets of the city where it is practiced. prostitution together with the mobile anti-trafficking unit. Anonymity is obviously guaranteed.

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Lo screening

Group photo on the occasion of the presentation of the initiative – © www.giornaledibrescia.it

“Hepatitis C can be cured, indeed, one of the goals is its eradication by 2030 – highlighted Professor Francesco Castelli, of the Infectious and Tropical Diseases Operational Unit of the Spedali Civili -. This is why prevention is very important, and the decision of the Ministry of Health and the Region to promote a free screening test for HCV in the population born between 1969 and 1989 goes from this point of view ». Soon, those who – born between 1969 and 1989 – will go to a public facility to do normal blood tests, will be asked if they also want to get tested for Hepatitis C.

“If it turns out to be positive, the patient will be taken in charge by the specialist therapy service,” added Laura Lanfredini, medical director of Ats.

And give

The general manager of Ats Brescia, Claudio Sileo, reported the data on the two pathologies in Bresciano. “Based on the number of exemptions, we can confidently say that in 2020 there were 3,810 clients Hiv positive. Equal to 3.2 per thousand inhabitants. In 2003 the incidence was 2.2 assisted per thousand inhabitants ». 71% of the positives are male, the average age is 53 years for males and 51 for females; and among positive males, Italians are more numerous than foreigners, while the opposite is true among women. In the city, the incidence is positive 3.9 per thousand inhabitants, while peaks of 4 are recorded in the area of ​​Palazzolo and Franciacorta.

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Sul virus Hcv the data are less reliable, but they are counted 8,462 positives in 2020, with an incidence in Brescia of 7.9 positive per thousand inhabitants: 53% are males and 47% females. The average age is 59 for males and 67 for females. And also in this case the incidence rises to 9.9 in the western area of ​​the province on the border with the Bergamo area.

The network

«The therapeutic prospects for HIV and HCV are real – said Camillo Rossi, medical director of Asst Spedali Civili -. There is talk of stopping the disease in the first case, of healing in the second, which was unthinkable until six years ago. Now it is necessary to give continuity to the testing initiatives, and for this we are there ». In fact, it was the Spedali Civili Foundation that purchased the tests for the four days in Brescia. To testify their convinced adhesion to the initiative were present Umberta Salvadego president of the White Cross, Louise Bonzoni of Arcigay Orlando, Gessica Gosetti del Calabrone and also the mayor of Ospitaletto, Gianbattista Sarnico.