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Data from the Ministry of Health released on Tuesday, show a 16% reduction in cases and deaths from AIDS in the country in the last four years. Factors such as ensuring treatment for all, improving diagnosis, expanding access to testing, shortening the time between diagnoses and starting treatment contributed to the fall.
To diagnose and prevent sexually transmitted diseases, the Federal Government provides several health services. Called the Testing and Counseling Centers (CTA), these sites conduct tests for HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B and C for free.
There are two types of tests, laboratory tests, and HOME rapid tests. Rapid tests can be performed with the collection of a drop of blood or oral fluid and provide the result in a maximum of 30 minutes.
HIV testing
The rapid test for HIV and syphilis is already adopted in the Testing and Reception Centers. But you can also opt for the home STD test now.
The exams are carried out with a drop of blood (HIV and syphilis) or even oral fluid (only HIV) and the service is completely confidential, offering those who take the test the monitoring of a team of professionals to advise on the result of the exam, be it positive or negative.
- Taking the test and knowing the result is a decisive step for the health of the person and his companions. If the result of the patient claims not to have the virus, he has one more reason to continue taking care of himself. In case of a positive result, CTAs refer patients to start treatment at the referral services as soon as possible.
- When looking for a CTA, the user has the right to go through a counseling session, which can be individual or collective, depending on the service. Counseling is a preventive action that aims to offer emotional support, offer information and answer questions about STDs and HIV / AIDS and, above all, help you to assess the risks you are taking and the best ways you have to prevent yourself.
All tests have a period called a “diagnostic window”, which corresponds to the time between contact with the virus and detection of the infection marker (antigen or antibody). This means that, even if the person is infected, the test result can be negative if they are in the window period. Thus, in cases of negative results, and whenever the suspicion of infection persists, the test should be repeated after at least 30 days.
When to get tested for HIV
HIV testing should be done regularly and whenever you have been at risk, such as having sex without a condom. You must know if you have HIV to seek treatment at the right time, enabling you to gain a lot in the quality of life.
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