The world has been fighting AIDS for more than 40 years. However, there is still no cure for an infection with the HIV virus, which can lead to AIDS if left untreated. And there is no vaccination that protects against infection with HIV, the human immunodeficiency virus. World AIDS Day, in which the Pirmasens Hospital takes part, draws attention to this every year. On Tuesday, December 5th, there will be an information event at the Pirmasens University aimed at students. From 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., the Audimax – entrance via Building C – will be about AIDS and HIV. Mark Blattner from the AIDS, drug and youth welfare service in Landau provides information from medicine and provides information about contraceptive methods that also protect against HIV infection. Johanna Bittes from the youth and drug advice center in the city of Pirmasens reports under the keyword “Safer use” how the risk of infection can be reduced when consuming drugs. In addition to the lectures, there are information stands in the Audimax.
Tests are free and anonymous
In Rhineland-Palatinate, AIDS advice is offered by AIDS organizations and health authorities, including the health department located at the district administration, which is responsible for Pirmasens, Zweibrücken and Southwest Palatinate. As authority spokesman Thorsten Höh informed us when asked, the health department recorded 35 consultations and HIV tests this year. Anyone interested can use this free of charge. The tests are anonymous. Höh did not say how many of the 35 were positive. “Those seeking advice can find the contact details in the official gazettes of all municipalities, among other places. After contacting them, they will receive an appointment to discuss things at the health department, where everything that is tested with blood taken can be examined, including HIV, hepatitis A, B and C or syphilis,” Höh continues. He reports on key practices outside the Southwest Palatinate – for example in Ludwigshafen, Kaiserslautern and Saarbrücken – where infected people are treated.