European Testing Week: get tested for HIV and help limit the increase in new cases

European Testing Week is taking place from 20 to 27 November 2023, with the aim of encouraging people to get tested as early as possible for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). This European week is marking its 10th anniversary this year.

The importance of early testing

Testing is the most effective way of detecting HIV infection and preventing its transmission, as well as ensuring optimal treatment. The sooner people become aware of their infection, the sooner they can receive appropriate treatment, prevent transmission and improve their health. Today, advances in HIV treatment mean that people living with HIV can live long, healthy lives if they are diagnosed early enough and take their treatment properly.

Increase in the number of newly infected people in Luxembourg

According to the latest data from the Service national de maladies infectieuses (SNMI), the number of HIV-infected patients being treated for the first time increased considerably in 2022: 164 people were seen for the first time (compared with 105 in 2021), 67 of whom became infected in 2022, while 97 were already infected and being treated in another country. People living with HIV who moved to Luxembourg in 2022 thus represent the majority of new patients being monitored, but there has also been a sharp increase in new infections (67 new cases in 2022 compared with 51 in 2021). This increase mainly affects women, who account for 39% of new infections and 49% of people newly included in 2022.

It is important to note that a third of new infections in heterosexuals occur in people over the age of 45, while the majority of male-to-male sex infections occur in people under the age of 36. The sudden increase in the number of HIV infections diagnosed can also be explained by the increase in screening tests and the resumption of people's mobility following the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the reopening of meeting places.

Ways of getting tested

Today, there are several ways of getting tested for HIV:

• "Conventional" screening, using a blood sample taken 6 weeks after the last high-risk situation, provides a completely reliable result.
• Screening using a rapid diagnostic test (TROD) provides a result within minutes of a fingertip blood sample being taken, and can be carried out as early as 12 weeks after the last risk situation. However, you should always consult a healthcare professional to confirm the result of a positive TROD test.
• The HIV self-test, also known as a TROD, can be obtained without a prescription from a pharmacy or by ordering from HIV Berodung. It allows you to carry out a screening test yourself, at home and, like the classic TROD, can be carried out as early as 12 weeks after the last high-risk situation. It is also strongly recommended that you consult a healthcare professional for interpretation.

You can get tested all year round:

By rapid tests (TROD, free and anonymous, no prescription required):

• Mondays and Wednesdays from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Red Cross HIV Berodung service (94, boulevard Général Patton, L-2316 Luxembourg)
• Thursdays from 12.30 pm to 2.30 pm at the Centre LGBTIQ+ CIGALE (16, rue Notre Dame, L-2240 Luxembourg)

By blood test (without prescription, free and anonymous):

• 7/7 and 24/24 at the Centre hospitalier de Luxembourg, Unit 20-infectious diseases (4, rue Barblé, L-1210 Luxembourg)
• Monday to Friday, 7.30 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. at the National Health Laboratory (1, rue Louis Rech, L-3555 Dudelange)
• Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Centre hospitalier Emile Mayrisch (rue Emile Mayrisch, L-4240 Esch/Alzette)

During European Testing Week, from 20 to 27 November, the public will be able to take advantage of a range of testing options in various locations:

By rapid tests (TROD, free and anonymous, no prescription required):

• Friday 24 November from 9 to 11 p.m. at Letz Boys Bar (60, Grand-Rue, L-1660 Luxembourg)

By blood test (without prescription, free and anonymous):

At the Ketterthill, Bionext and Laboratoires réunis laboratories (for the latter, go to the Kirchberg hospital and the Zithaklinik).

Press release by the Ministry of Health