The inhibition threshold to be tested at the family doctor, the Aidshilfe or the health department on the AIDS virus HIV is great for many people. For one year there has been an alternative in Germany: HIV self-tests, which are freely available in drugstores and pharmacies. "Roughly estimated in this period about 30,000 self-tests have been made," says the spokesman for the German Aidshilfe, Holger Wicht. "That's really good news."
"The tests should be a normal and everyday thing," says Wicht. They definitely offer relief; either because the concerns were unjustified or because something can be done against the infection as soon as possible. "Who waits too long out of fear," says Wicht, "makes things as difficult as feared." In the meantime, it is possible to live very well with HIV if the infection is treated early: "Twelve weeks after the last possible transmission, the test can reliably rule out HIV infection."
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For the self-test, costing between 20 and 25 euros, one sticks with a needle in the finger. The drop of blood is placed in a tube or well in the plastic surface of the test kit and a solution is added. After 15 to 30 minutes, the result can be read off.
Do not forget about other sexually transmitted diseases
Bochum's Norbert Brockmeyer from the Society for the Advancement of Sexual Health in Bochum also considers the introduction of OTC self-testing to be very positive: "It took some time for the introduction to get around, but now the tests are well underway become." However, the test is only the first step. "For a positive test must always be a medical consultation," said Brockmeyer. He warned against neglecting the risks of other sexually transmitted infections, such as chlamydia and syphilis.