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GOSHH

European Spring Hepatitis and HIV Testing Week 2019 (17th May - 24th May)

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Press Release

European spring testing week runs from 17th May through to the 24th May and GOSHH will be providing rapid HIV tests and rapid Hepatitis C tests in various places around the community as well as in our offices.

HIV treatment is one tablet a day, and this treatment controls HIV so that it does not to do any damage to the person living with the virus, and the HIV cannot be transmitted sexually. This is the information behind the new campaign U=U (Undetectable = Untransmittable). Last year there were 528 new notifications of HIV transmission in Ireland, which is more than one new transmission a day.

Hepatitis C treatment is one tablet a day for 12 weeks with little or no side effects. On average, in Ireland, around 600 people a year are newly diagnosed with Hepatitis C. These infections might not be new, as it is possible to live with Hep C for 30 years or more without obvious symptoms, but those 600 people did not know they were living with a potentially fatal infection until they were tested.

GOSHH have been providing rapid HIV and Hep C tests to people since 2012. The testing service has been steadily growing and is contributing to finding unknown cases of HIV and Hep C within the community as well as linking people in with medical care, so they can access the free treatments that are available to everyone who needs them.

Not only are GOSHH rapid tests very accurate, but the results are also available immediately. Of course, GOSHH also offer full support for people around their test results. Ann Mason, the manager at GOSHH stated “If someone is tested, and treated, Hep C can be cured, HIV can be effectively managed. I think it is important that everyone gets tested, and we are trying to make that as easy as possible for people. Currently in Ireland it is estimated that over 30,000 people have been diagnosed with Hep C and only 3,000 have been treated. Ireland has one of the highest rates of new transmission for HIV in Europe. Our rate of HIV transmission increased by 8% last year.”

Ann continued, “Fortunately, people who have been tested are now aware of their status and can receive the treatment they need to keep their HIV undetectable or be cured of Hepatitis C. It is to their benefit that they got tested because testing for HIV and Hepatitis C is the only way to detect these viruses”.

Full testing information is available through www.goshh.ie/testing/ or by calling 061314354. If you wish to talk to someone about HIV or Hepatitis C testing, GOSHH is open from 9.15am – 5pm, Monday through to Friday.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Who needs to get tested?

Key populations for HIV testing
Key populations at higher risk in Europe vary from country to country, but in general they include:
• Men who have sex with men
• Injecting drug users (including steroids, heroin, crack, speed….even if you have only done it once)
• Sex workers (and anyone who has exchanged sex for goods, services, accommodation or money)
• Migrants (including persons originating from a high prevalence country) and mobile populations
• People who have been in prison
• Sexual partners of any of these people

Key populations for Hepatitis testing
The key populations at higher risk of Hepatitis are the same as those for HIV, above. In addition, those at increased risk of living with undiagnosed Hepatitis C include:
• People on long-term haemodialysis
• People who have received blood, blood products, or organs before screening for Hepatitis C was implemented, or where
screening is not yet widespread
• Healthcare workers
• People who have had medical care abroad in at risk countries
• Other types of drug users including people who have snorted drugs
• People affected by homelessness
• Sexual partners of any of these people

REFERENCE:
Annual Epidemiological Report, Hepatitis C in Ireland, 2017.
http://www.hpsc.ie/a-z/hepatitis/hep...ort%202017.pdf

HIV in Ireland: 2018 provisional data including latest trends (slide sets)
https://www.hpsc.ie/a-z/hivstis/hiva...ataandreports/

Updated 16-05-19 at 13:58 by Floki

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