The campaign mobilizes society in the fight against HIV; In Brazil, approximately 1 million people are living with the virus, according to the Ministry of Health
With the arrival of Red Decembera campaign established by law no. 13.504/2017 to mobilize society in the fight against HIV, AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), it is important to be aware of the cases in Brazil. HIV is the acronym in English for Human Immunodeficiency Virus.
Despite the reduction in HIV infections, cases of other sexually transmitted diseases, such as syphilis, chlamydia and gonorrhea, are increasing. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than one million treatable, non-viral sexually transmitted diseases occur worldwide every day, mostly in people aged 15 to 49.
In Brazil, data released by the Ministry of Health in October 2023 showed a 23% increase in detected cases of syphilis per 100,000 inhabitants.
Progress in the fight against HIV
According to a bulletin from UNAIDS, a joint United Nations program that aims to lead and coordinate the global response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic, approximately 39.9 million people were registered as living with HIV globally in 2023. Among these:
- In the same year, 1.3 million were infected.
- 38.6 million were 15 years old or older;
- 1.4 million were under 15;
- 53% of all people living with HIV were women and girls;
- In 2023, approximately 5.4 million people did not know they were living with HIV.
While new infections have fallen 39% since 2010, the reduction is below the goal for 2025, which is less than 370,000 new cases per year. In Brazil, mortality due to AIDS has decreased by 25.5% in the last ten years, but there are still around 30 deaths related to the disease every day.
Despite these advances, infectologist and clinical pathologist Celso Granato, of the Brazilian Society of Clinical Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (SBPC/ML), reinforces the need to expand access to education and prevention. “It is very important to convey the message that protection must be broad,” says the expert.
PrEP use and increase in other sexually transmitted diseases
The use of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), a preventive drug against HIV, could contribute to the increase in other sexually transmitted diseases. According to the doctor, although PrEP is effective against HIV, its use cannot replace the condom, which is essential to prevent other infections.
“PrEP is extremely important, but it is for a very limited audience among this population that is most at risk. It is not enough to resort to drugs to avoid HIV infection and neglect other diseases. You must first choose a condom as the best precautionary method”, warns the doctor.
Stigmas and prejudices still represent challenges
Decades after the emergence of HIV, the stigma surrounding the virus remains a barrier to prevention and treatment. Many women and heterosexual people, for example, do not protect themselves because they believe they are outside the risk group.
“The fact that women become infected can only be due to a lack of care in preventing it and spreading it among heterosexual people. They must be very careful and expect their partner to use a condom,” underlines Granato.
How to act in case of exposure to risk?
Tests to detect HIV can generally be done two to three weeks after exposure, but for other STDs the period varies. “If the person has a wound, in the case of syphilis, they can be tested after 5-10 days. In situations such as altered vaginal secretion, the examination must be carried out as soon as the change is noticed,” explains the specialist.
The specialist emphasizes that doctors must be aware of the characteristics of different infections to make an early diagnosis.
“Unfortunately these situations are becoming more and more common. The doctor must know when to prescribe tests and how to guide the patient”, he concludes.
Red December is an opportunity to reflect on the importance of adopting prevention measures, demystifying prejudices and reinforcing the need for continuous and effective care to combat HIV and STIs.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
