As of: February 16, 2024, 5:42 p.m
By: Leoni Billina
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The number of new HIV infections in Bavaria increased significantly in 2023.
Problematic: Many people don't know that they are infected.
Munich - After the corona pandemic with the corresponding contact restrictions, sexually transmitted diseases seem to be spreading more strongly again.
According to figures from the Robert Koch Institute, over 600 HIV infections were diagnosed in Bavaria last year, the highest figure in the country and almost 20 percent higher than in the previous year (a good 500).
There were almost 3,300 HIV diagnoses nationwide in 2023.
The number of HIV infections increased significantly in Bavaria in 2023.
© IMAGO/Christoph Hardt
Many don't know they are infected
“Many people don’t even know that they are infected and can infect others,” Health Minister Judith Gerlach (CSU) told the newspaper.
She called for people to consistently protect themselves and others from infection with a sexually transmitted disease.
(By the way: Our Bavaria newsletter informs you about all the important stories from the Free State. Sign up here.)
To assess the development of infections, experts look at the number of new infections, as the diagnoses are determined by several factors, such as testing options and willingness to test.
In addition, with HIV in particular, an infection can occur years ago.
According to the RKI, an estimated 1,900 people nationwide were newly infected with HIV in 2022.
However, the number of new infections has halved since the end of the 1980s, when it was almost 4,000 people per year.
The World AIDS Conference will take place in Munich this year
This year, Munich will be the meeting point for the world's largest scientific meeting on the subject of HIV.
More than 15,000 participants are expected at the 25th World AIDS Conference from July 22nd to 26th, 2024.
According to experts, the number of infections is rising again, especially in Eastern Europe;
in Africa they remain high.
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