Paderborn. “Thanks to the therapy, people with HIV have a good chance of a normal life expectancy with a good quality of life,” says Bianca Schröder, a full-time employee of Aidshilfe Paderborn, on the occasion of World AIDS Day on December 1st. But for this to happen, sick people need to know about their infection. This year, various activities are taking place in Paderborn around World AIDS Day.
In Germany, the proportion of people with HIV who are only diagnosed in later stages is consistently high. There is no cure for HIV, but if the infection is known, there are good medications that suppress the virus from reproducing. An early HIV test is therefore worthwhile, writes Aidshilfe-Paderborn in a press release.
In Paderborn, the Aidshilfe at Riemekestrasse 12 provides advice. “You can live well and for a long time with HIV today,” says Schröder. Even those who were diagnosed late have the best chance of their immune system recovering. “HIV cannot be transmitted in everyday life anyway,” says Schröder. And: “With therapy, HIV can no longer be transmitted during sex.”
New HIV infections increased slightly
Around 1,900 people were infected with HIV in Germany in 2022, 100 more than in the previous year. Overall, the number of new HIV infections has fallen – with slight fluctuations – since 2007. The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) recently published this estimate in its Epidemiological Bulletin.
Around 1,000 new HIV infections (53 percent) affect men who have sex with men (MSM). The decline observed since 2007 is primarily due to this group. In the last three years, the number of new infections among MSM has remained stable. Around 520 people (27 percent) were infected through heterosexual means, including 310 women (16 percent) and 210 men (11 percent). About 370 people (19 percent) were infected with HIV through intravenous drug use. The RKI has recorded a slight increase in both groups for several years.
Zoe Bunse, the chairwoman of Aidshilfe, explains: “The decline in new HIV infections that has been observed since 2007 can have various reasons, for example changed sexual and testing behavior. Also the effectiveness of HIV therapy (protection through therapy) and “PrEP (abbreviation for “pre-exposure prophylaxis”, in German: precaution before possible HIV contact) can have positive effects on HIV reports.”
The actions for World AIDS Day in Paderborn
This year, various activities are taking place around World AIDS Day. Among other things, those interested can take part in an open breakfast or at a promotional stand at the Western Gate on December 1st. On December 2nd, an action to support volunteers will take place: With red overalls, information and small gifts in their luggage, employees will walk through downtown Paderborn and draw attention to the topic of HIV and AIDS.
Finally, the author Marcello Liscia, who was born in Paderborn and lives in Salzkotten, will read from his novel “A Rainy Summer” on December 8th at 6 p.m. in the Aidshilfe. The book follows 16-year-old Luca, who is sent to Germany in the 1950s to work as a seasonal worker in a Paderborn ice cream parlor to support his family of eight in northern Italy. In Paderborn, Luca meets Hans, a high school student of the same age, for whom he quickly develops feelings that he cannot initially categorize. Marcello Liscia will also exclusively read excerpts from the manuscript of his second novel under the working title “One more time.” The reading is free of charge, the Aidshilfe welcomes donations.
Further information about precaution and commitment can be found at paderborn.aidshilfe.deTel. 05251 280 298 or send an email to [email protected].
The events in Paderborn at a glance:
- December 1st, 10 a.m.: Breakfast for World AIDS Day, Aidshilfe premises
- December 1st, 1 p.m.: Information stand for World AIDS Day, in front of the Sacred Heart Church
- December 2nd, 10 a.m.: Fundraising event, downtown
- December 2nd, 6 p.m.: Demonstration, in front of the Sacred Heart Church
- December 2nd, 6:30 p.m.: Advent service, in the Sacred Heart Church
- December 4th, 6 p.m.: Culture Club And what are you reading? AIDS service premises
- December 8th, 6 p.m.: Reading Marcello Liscia, A rainy room of the Aidshilfe