Let’s choose to know: HIV Awareness and Pedestrian Testing: Prensa Gobierno de Mendoza

Under the slogan Mendoza chooses to know, The province is preparing to make the most of International Day to Respond to HIV on Friday, December 1. Public Employees Social Work will be adding free events and testing from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Sarmiento Walk in front of the Provincial Legislature.

The Department of Social Work of Public Employees (OSEP), together with the Mendoza Ministry of Health, Social Development and Sports and the Provincial AIDS Program, will carry out large-scale activities in the Mendoza microcentres. Professional teams will conduct voluntary, rapid, free, confidential HIV and sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing.

In addition to preventive actions, information stations will be set up to provide advice on different sexually transmitted infections and their prevention. Vaccines included in the national calendar will also be administered to the general population.

December 1 was chosen as the International AIDS Response Day because the first case of AIDS was diagnosed on this day in 1981. Therefore, people use this day as an opportunity to publicize the global situation caused by the spread of HIV. Infect. Educational campaigns, counseling and voluntary testing contribute to comprehensive prevention programs. Properly inserting a condom at the beginning of any type of sexual relationship is the most reliable method of prevention.

However, there are other sexually transmitted infections such as syphilis, hepatitis B and C, HPV (human papillomavirus), trichomoniasis, gonorrhea or chlamydia, and genital herpes. They can manifest themselves in different ways and it is very important to seek prompt consultation at a hospital or health center if there is any suspicion, as most are treatable and many people have been cured.

It’s important to note that this event is entirely open to the community, so a large number of attendees are expected for events taking place across the province.