(Keep reading: What you should know about syphilis: symptoms, stages, and treatment)
On the other hand, diseases such as HIV, unlike those previously mentioned, can evolve to the point of becoming AIDS, which makes its approach and medical treatment more complex. For this reason, the US Preventive Services Task Force recommends getting tested for HIV, at least once a year, as part of routine medical care if you are between the ages of 15 and 65.
(You may be interested: They warn of an increase in gonorrhea cases in Europe)
The number of new HIV infections in Latin America is estimated to have increased by 4.7% from 2010 to 2021, with approximately 110,000 new infections in 2021. In this year there were 2.5 million people with HIV in Latin America and the Caribbean. It is estimated that 18% of people with HIV in this region are unaware of their infection. Approximately one third is diagnosed late, with advanced immunodeficiency.
Undoubtedly, there is a need to prevent and raise awareness about attending frequent medical check-ups that allow us to rule out or confirm any affectation on health; but also that the population knows the importance of the different diagnostic alternatives that allow access to more precise and safe answers.
Thanks to the advances in recent years in the health sector, It is currently possible to find different alternatives that allow us to have greater knowledge about the incidence of these STDs:
- Swab or urine test. These work to detect diseases such as chlamydia and gonorrhea. After taking the sample, they are studied in detail in a laboratory.
- Antigen tests. These tests usually involve drawing blood from a vein. Antigens are substances from the HIV virus itself and are usually detectable in the blood within a few weeks after exposure to HIV.
- Antibody tests. These tests look for antibodies to HIV in the blood. Antibody tests can take 3-12 weeks after exposure to become positive. No single test can diagnose the presence of HIV on its own. It is important to combine these tests in a specific order that has been validated based on the prevalence of the virus in the population being tested.
- PAP test. These tests, using a small brush, check the cervix and remove irregular cells. It is recommended to get tested annually. After two consecutive examinations (one year apart) with normal results, the preventive test can be performed every three years.
- HPV test. Women between the ages of 25 and 65 should have an HPV test alone or an HPV test along with a Pap test every three years if previous test results were within the standard range. Testing may be done more frequently for those who are at high risk for cervical cancer or those who have irregular results on their Pap or HPV tests.
And he added: “This in turn increases the chances that those who do not know their status will infect more sexual partners and in this way the cycle can be repeated over and over again. Therefore, we recommend prevention through protection, and doing check-ups and annual diagnostic exams, so that any infection is ruled out, or in the event that any affectation is identified, immediate medical treatment is used in order to give it proper management”, concluded Hélida Silva, Director of Medical Affairs from Siemens Healthineers.
