What is European HIV & Hepatitis Testing Week?
Testing Week is an initiative that was launched by the EuroTEST initiative (originally named HIV in Europe) in 2013 to increase testing efforts and create awareness of the benefits of early HIV testing. Now in has expanded to include a spring and winter European Testing Week.
European Testing Week offers partners across Europe the unique opportunity to unite to increase awareness of the benefits of early HIV and hepatitis testing among those who are at risk and promote increased access to testing. In 2018, more than 700 organisations from across 53 countries took part in Testing Week and thousands more people are now aware of their HIV and hepatitis status. Through united efforts, we are creating an even greater success for 2019.
Why is a European HIV-Hepatitis Testing Week needed?
Today, at least 25% of the 2.2 million people living with HIV in Europe are unaware that they are HIV positive. Half of those living with HIV are diagnosed late – which delays access to treatment. It is now proven that when HIV is effectively treated and undetectable in a person, then it is sexually untransmittable. Finding and treating people who are living with HIV is key to controlling the epidemic and testing is the first step of that process.
There is now an effective cure for Hepatitis C. And yet, because Hepatitis C is often asymptomatic and left untreated, chronic hepatitis is a major cause of liver cirrhosis and live cancer. The majority of people with hepatitis C remain undiagnosed and only a small minority in Europe (3.5%) receive treatment. Ireland have signed up to eliminate Hepatitis C by 2030 and community based testing will open the path towards achieving this goal.
These statistics suggest that we need to be doing more to encourage individuals who are unknowingly living with HIV and/ or hepatitis to take a test, and to better target people who have not thought of testing.
What are the benefits of testing…
…For HIV?
- Those who are diagnosed with HIV early are more likely to respond well to treatment and live healthily for longer
- Early diagnosis and treatment can reduce the likelihood of onward transmission to others
- Those who are diagnosed later are more likely to suffer health complications and premature death
…For hepatitis?
- Early diagnosis and treatment can reduce the likelihood of onward transmission to others
- Those who are diagnosed later are more likely to suffer health complications such as cirrhosis, liver failure or hepatocellular carcinoma
This year GOSHH are also providing Syphilis tests as part of our rapid testing service. Syphilis can be easily treated if detected in the early stages.
What activities will take place during testing week?
Rapid HIV, Hepatitis C & Syphilis Testing
GOSHH, Redwood Place, 18 Davis Street, Limerick
Friday 22 November 09.45 – 11.00
Monday 25 November 10.30 – 12.30
Monday 25 November 14.30 – 16.30
Tuesday 26 November 14.30 – 16.30
Wednesday 27 November 11.00 – 12.30
Wednesday 27 November 14.30 – 16.30
Thursday 28 November 10.00 – 12.30
Thursday 28 November 14.30 – 16.30
Friday 29 November 09.45 – 11.00
GOSHH will be working with agencies across the Mid-West Region area to provide free testing and awareness in community settings.
Saturday 23 November, 10.00 – 12.00
HIV, Hepatitis C and Sexual Health Talk
Miltown Malbay Community Centre, Clare
Monday 25 November, 14.00 – 16.00
Rapid HIV, Hepatitis C & Syphilis Testing
King Thomond Hotel, Lisdoonvarna
Monday 25 November 12.30 – 14.30
SWAI Meeting – GOSHH, Limerick
Tuesday 26 November 10.00 – 12.00
HIV Talk – Hanratty’s Hotel, Limerick
Wednesday 27 November 11.00 – 13.00
HIV Talk – Mount Trenchard, Foynes, Limerick
For more information please contact:
GOSHH,
Redwood Place, 18 Davis Street, Limerick, V94 K377
knownow@goshh.ie
061314354