2024-02-13 16:00:00
“Hepatitis C concerns everyone,” is what is written on the T-shirts made especially for the big test campaign by Lynn Sziklai and Michael Diederich from Ulm. According to them, many of those affected are not even aware that they are carrying the dangerous virus – a quick test can therefore provide certainty. For this reason, the Association of Victims of the Blood Scandal (VOB) is organizing a free test campaign in the “m25” at Ulm Minster on Saturday, February 17th.
Hepatitis C should be eliminated
Liver cirrhosis or even liver cancer can be serious consequences of the viral disease if left untreated, explains organizer Lynn Sziklai. “With the test campaign we want to make a contribution to eliminating viral hepatitis.” This is also an official goal of the World Health Organization (WHO) – to eradicate hepatitis C (HCV).
With the testing campaign we want to make a contribution to eliminating viral hepatitis.
Lynn Sziklai
However, the number of hepatitis C cases in Germany has increased in recent years, the Robert Koch Institute also reports for 2022. A possible reason might be refugee migration from countries where HCV is more common.
Test campaign on Saturday in the “m25”
Who get tested for free If you would like to, you can come to “m25” at Münsterplatz 25 on Saturday, February 17th without registering. Anonymous tests and advice will be available on this day from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Why HCV is so insidious
The aim of the test campaign in “m25”: to create awareness of the possible consequences of the disease and to give those affected certainty, says Lynn Sziklai. This should be overcome with the test campaign and on-site advice. “The insidious thing is that the disease can be symptomless for decades,” she says. But there are now good therapies to cure them. But it has to be recognized for this.
We can cure hepatitis C. Medicine has come so far.
Saadet Arda
But if hepatitis C goes undetected, it can cause serious liver damage – which can also be fatal. “Nowadays no one has to be afraid anymore,” emphasizes psychiatrist Saadet Arda, who also joined the campaign. “We can cure hepatitis C. Medicine has come so far.”
Organizers also act out of their own concern
Such a test campaign is important to the organizers because of their own concerns. Lynn Sziklai’s partner Michael Diederich is chairman of the VOB. At the age of eight he was infected with HIV and hepatitis C – contaminated blood products were to blame.
That’s why he fell ill with AIDS years ago, but thanks to medical treatment he is now below the detection limit – and has been cured of hepatitis C for a good decade.
VOB stands up for those affected by the blood scandal
It happened in the 1980s one of the biggest medical scandals Germany, when thousands of hemophiliacs became infected with HIV through contaminated blood products and often at the same time with the hepatitis C virus. Many victims of the so-called blood scandal have today organized themselves into the Association of Victims of the Blood Scandal (VOB).
Among other things, the association advocates for compensation for those affected. Today the association fights for health education and once morest stigmatization. “Unfortunately, the blood scandal has not been dealt with properly,” says chairman Michael Diederich. “More and more people affected are dying of hepatitis C today, even if they are cured,” he explains. “You have been carrying the virus for so long that your liver is already so damaged.” (phe)
How the virus is transmitted
In most cases, the virus is passed on through blood. “It is often a simple needle stick injury that can lead to infection,” explains the doctor, which is why you are not completely immune from infection even in everyday life. Even if, according to the organizer, this is unlikely in many cases.
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Lynn Sziklai gives an example: “It can also happen with a razor blade,” she explains. For example, if an infected person cuts themselves while shaving. “If someone else uses this razor, they can quickly become infected.”
However, the virus can appear rather inconspicuous for a long time. “The dangerous thing is that those affected can unknowingly infect others,” adds Saadet Arda. In her practice in Biberach, the psychiatrist also looks following patients who previously used heroin and who may have become infected with HCV.
The dangerous thing is that those affected can unknowingly infect others.
Saadet Arda
“They are the largest risk group,” she says. Nevertheless, it is important to her to emphasize that even for those who at first glance are not necessarily at risk, a rapid test can provide certainty.
Provide education and certainty
“We advise anyone who wants to find out more,” says Michael Diederich. “As a small club, we want to give politics a little push.” Lynn Sziklai agrees. “Our mission is to work consistently on this.” And to create awareness. “That’s why there should be more testing options like the ‘m25’,” she emphasizes.
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