The SEIMC recalls “Not lower our guard against infection by HIV”.

-Preventive strategies are not getting good results, especially among certain vulnerable groups, such as homosexual or bisexual men

-GESIDA and SEIMC recommended that all those who have had a practice of risk should be proof of HIV/AIDS

Madrid, December of 2011- the Spanish society of infectious diseases and Clinical Microbiology (SEIMC)It brings together the majority of clinical microbiologists and infectious disease specialists, warns on the occasion of the World AIDS Day, of the importance of early diagnosis and not lower our guard against the spread of the virus, especially in those groups more susceptible to HIV infection.

Recent data from a study presented at the last Congress of GESIDA, the study group of the SEIMC dedicated to research on HIV/AIDS (GESIDA), reveal that 30-40 per cent of those infected with HIV are diagnosed late. This percentage increases in contagion by heterosexual transmission, elderly and immigrants mainly from sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America.

According to the Vice-President of the SEIMC, Dr. José María Miró, this circumstance has a large epidemiological and clinical significance and that the risk of transmitting the infection is much higher in patients who are diagnosed late and the risk of death despite antiretroviral therapy is greater. In addition, these groups are exposed to suffer from multiple diseases and complications that could be avoided if they diagnosticasen soon and begin antiretroviral therapy more precociously ”.

Still, the recent UNAIDS report highlights that the spread of HIV has slowed down in the world, reducing overall by 21% between 2005 and 2010. Last year it is estimated that there were some 34 million people infected with HIV and that 2.7 million newly infected that year. Spain, the National Plan on AIDS estimates that each year they recorded 3000 to 3500 new infections and approximately 1000 deaths from HIV. For this reason, Miró recalls that is the best time to insist on an early diagnosis and curb the spread of the virus ”.

Despite these positive data released by UNAIDS, it is true that preventive strategies are not getting good results, especially among certain vulnerable groups, such as homosexual or bisexual men, which, according to the Vice-Chairman of the SEIMC, have dropped their guard and already do not perceive the risk of AIDS infection ”. Spain the increase of new cases of infection occurs in precisely in men who practice sex with other men. They tend to be young, educated high, but have been relaxed to HIV infection, either because they did not live the hard years of the AIDS, either because they have the perception that there is an effective treatment against the virus ”

therefore from the SEIMC, and its study GESIDA groupthey continue to insist that all those people who have had considered practices of risk, as having kept unprotected sex, do the HIV test and don’t wait for that appear symptoms of the disease for diabetic is. In addition, it must strengthen prevention programmes for homosexual males and develop appropriate programmes for immigrants, since they are the groups that are diagnosed new cases of infection by HIV most frequently.

about <? xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = “urn: schemas-microsoft-com: office:smarttags” / > the SEIMC

the Spanish society of clinical microbiology and infectious diseases ( SEIMC) is a scientific society that brings together professionals working in the field of Infectious Pathology, both from the point of view clinical and etiological diagnosis, treatment and prevention of processes infectious.

The fundamental purpose of the SEIMC is the promote, encourage and disseminate the study and research of infectious diseases and clinical microbiology , in terms of epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment, prevention and control is concerned, as well as in their interrelations.

Currently with more than 2,360 partners, more than 1,500 correspond to the section of Clinical microbiology and about 1,150 to that of diseases infectious.

GESIDA

the study group of the SEIMC AIDS brings together the majority of clinicians serving people with HIV/AIDS in Spain. Among its functions is to promote research on infection by HIV, its complications and its treatment. So it has the support of Fundación SEIMC/GESIDA. GESIDA and Foundation SEIMC/GESIDA underway currently have more than 20 research projects, including clinical trials and observational studies. In these studies are working together more than 6,000 patients.