Stop HIV/AIDS
"Super-sensitive" HIV test will be available for free
Ksenia Kolesnikova, Rossiyskaya Gazeta
From December 1 to December 3, at the Center for Molecular Diagnostics of the Central Research Institute of Epidemiology of Rospotrebnadzor, it will be possible to pass an HIV test that can detect an infection in the blood already on the 10th day after infection.
– This is a test of the last, fourth generation. It is based on enzyme immunoassay, which allows simultaneous detection of antibodies to HIV–1 and HIV-2 and the p24 antigen. He has a high diagnostic sensitivity in the early period of infection, – said Dmitry Kireev, head of the scientific group for the development of new methods for the diagnosis of HIV infection at the Central Research Institute of Epidemiology of Rospotrebnadzor. – In some cases, for example, if a recent infection is suspected, it may also be recommended to conduct a study by molecular methods.
The free study will be available in more than 200 medical centers throughout Russia (a map with the addresses of the centers and other useful information can be found here – VM).
To participate in it, you need to name the promo code: #STOPVICHSPEED. In addition, from November 27 to December 8, at the initiative of Rospotrebnadzor, a hotline will operate in each region. Its specialists will talk about how many people are infected with HIV, about the myths associated with the disease, and the possibilities of anonymous free testing. (Information about the working hours and contacts of the "hotlines" is posted on the official websites of the Rospotrebnadzor Departments for the subjects of the Russian Federation – VM.)
Recall that on December 1, the World AIDS Day is celebrated. According to the Central Research Institute of Epidemiology of Rospotrebnadzor, 1 million 114 thousand people infected with HIV are registered in Russia today. At the same time, according to WHO, almost a third of those infected do not know about their diagnosis.
A drug capable of completely defeating HIV has not yet been created, but thanks to effective antiretroviral therapy, the virus can be controlled and its transmission prevented. This gives you a chance for a long, full and productive life. As the Minister of Health of the Russian Federation Veronika Skvortsova told at the All-Russian Forum on AIDS Prevention and Treatment, in 10 years the coverage of antiretroviral therapy in Russia has increased almost sixfold. Now it accounts for 46% of all patients with HIV infection who are under medical supervision.
– And although since 2006 there has been an increase in the number of new cases of HIV infection by an average of 10-12 percent per year, the measures taken have reduced the growth rate of new cases by almost 2 times, and this is against the background of expanding testing coverage, - the minister said. – We conducted the first large federal campaign on voluntary testing in 2016. Within 2 weeks, in 10 cities, we checked 23.5 thousand people who came to take the test in shopping malls. This year, thanks to the partnership with Russian Railways, a special car traveled through the territory of 24 most problematic regions and allowed testing about 25 thousand ordinary citizens.
According to the Ministry of Health, now the coverage of HIV testing of the country's residents is approximately 20.5% of the population (more than 30 million people). Moreover, in some regions, the research coverage reaches 60%. In addition, in Russia, it was practically possible to stop the vertical transmission of HIV (that is, from mother to child). Over the past 10 years, this indicator has decreased by 3.5 times – to 1.7%.
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