Worldwide around 38 million people live with the HIV virus. In Luxembourg there are 1,176 people affected by the disease. In the last year, around 1.7 million people were diagnosed, with 40 in the Grand Duchy, a decrease on the years before. The Ministry of Health said however that the number of heterosexual people affected had risen.
The AIDS-Test is the best method to test for the virus. There are a number of other tests that can be carried out alongside the classic blood test. From July onwards, pharmacies and some supermarkets began offering the opportunity to purchase at-home tests. The tests can also be found online.
A number of events will take place across the country in light of World AIDS Day, such as a brunch of solidarity at the Hotel Place d'Armes in the presence of Minister for Health Etienne Schneider. The MUDAM museum has dedicated the whole weekend to activism against the disease's stigma, with special events and an exhibition for 'David Wojnarovicz', an American artist who died of the disease. You can also purchase a "Love Baguette" in any Namur bakery, which will donate a euro from every sale to the HIV support service in Luxembourg.
In the last year around 770,000 deaths were recorded in relation to the AIDS virus. 32 million people have died of the illness since records began, making it one of the most deadly diseases in history.
