Free test against sexually transmitted diseases: 8 Italian cities involved

Fifty European countries are participating in the campaign, hundreds of organizations are involved. Among them, as always, is LILA, which on this occasion extends its service of anonymous and free tests for HIV, hepatitis and syphilis in its offices in Bari, Cagliari, Como, Florence, Livorno, Milan, Turin and Trento. Here you will find all the times and addresses of the LILA dates. Anyone who would like to purchase a self-test in the pharmacy can join the association’s remote support.

The United Nations and UNAIDS have always supported the possibility of testing in unsanitary locations. According to the two international institutions, there are a number of people who, for various reasons, would never go back to a traditional structure.

Why is early diagnosis of sexually transmitted infections so important?

With an early diagnosis, therapies are initiated as quickly as possible. In the case of HIV, it prevents the infection from developing into the actual disease, namely AIDS. Various sexually transmitted diseases can be treated effectively if started early. According to the United Nations, there are 2,300,000 people living with HIV in Europe alone. Of these, 20% do not know that they have been infected with the virus. Unfortunately, more than half of new diagnoses in Europe are made when people already have or are about to develop AIDS. In Italy, this proportion is over 63 percent.

Speech is also very similar with viral hepatitis. For example, hepatitis C is only diagnosed in 4.6% of patients. As a result, the vast majority of them are denied access to the treatments that would lead to a full recovery. Even with hepatitis B, there are only a few diagnoses. In this case, too, access to treatment would bring enormous benefits.

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