This Monday, December 1st marks the 36th World AIDS Day. And once again this year, prevention actions and public outreach are more necessary than ever. While science is makinggreat strides in both diagnosis and treatment, funding is only decreasing, access to healthcare is becoming increasingly complex, and thousands of people continue to discover their HIV-positive status every year.
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A Lack of Information and Prevention
While the numbers are stabilizing, they still carry significant weight. In 2024, 8.5 million HIV tests were conducted in France. That's a record, but 43% of HIV infections are still detected at a late stage. In 2024, 5,100 people were diagnosed as HIV positive. From 2014 to 2023, the discovery of HIV positivity increased by 41% among young people, according to a study by Public Health France. This data is explained by the fact that young people have more sexual encounters and different partnerss than the general population», according to Professor Jean-Michel Molina, medical director of the Pasteur Institute, when interviewed about .BFMTV.
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The professor laments the « lack of information on prevention and testing, », « the belief that AIDS is a disease of the 80s that does not affect everyone too many people are unaware of these solutions [PrEP, editor's note] because there is a lack of communication about them ». Pre-exposure prophylaxis or PrEP is a preventive medication that people who do not have HIV can take before sexual intercourse to avoid transmission. This pill is for everyone and is 100% effective. In the case of high-risk sexual intercourse — not protected by PrEP or a condom — a post-exposure treatment (TPE) can be prescribed.
Many screening options in Paris and throughout France
In Paris and the rest of France, there are many quick and free options to get tested. Testing should be done as soon as possible.
If there’s any doubt, after unprotected sex, before stopping the condom with a new partner.The sexual health centers or CeGIDD offer free and anonymous testing. In total, the capital has 23 sexual health centers where you can go without an appointment.
The medical testing laboratories also provide these tests with the VIHTEST system, which allows you to be tested without a prescription and at no cost.
Organizations that do testing with TROD — a small drop of blood sample.
Self-tests available at the pharmacy.
All the information you need can also be provided by Sida Info Service.Sida info service, reachable at 0 800 840 800 or via email, forum, and live chat.
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