In the province during the summer months specialists in Health Promotion and Education will intensify actions in favor of achieving healthy and responsible sexual health.

The main task will take place on June 27, International Day Take the Test, event called to raise awareness and make everyone reflex, especially young people about the need to protect themselves.

During that day in the municipalities of Holguín, rapid testing for HIV will be encouraged and, in the specific case of the provincial capital, from 9:00 a.m. at the Casa de la Cultura there will be educators, nurses, laboratory workers and volunteer promoters to carry out this project.

Nelcys Torres Pérez, provincial educator of the STI / HIV / AIDS and Hepatitis Program, explained that by taking blood from a person's finger in about 20 minutes, it can be known whether or not she is infected with the immunodeficiency human virus and that early diagnosis is key to maintain good quality of life and prevent transmission of the virus to others.

She explained that the opportunity to take the rapid test will be extended until June 30 with the aim of encouraging a greater number of people of Holguín to know their serological status and thus promote early recruitment to ensure timely treatment and access to services ofprevention.

In the province there is an increase in sexually transmitted infections (STIs) both bacterial and viral with respect to the previous year, constituting in some of the cases, due to their clinical manifestations, entry doors for HIV and mother-to-child transmission. Although it does not constitute a health problem, it does not stop being a risk in pregnancy.

This problem shows the low or little use of condoms even when it is known that to prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and maintain healthy and responsible sexual health it is important to always protect oneself, delay the start of sexual relations, achieve stability of the couple or practice safe sex (where there is no fluid exchange or penetration).

The specialist reported that "in all areas of health in our national system information and access is provided to know their HIV status, so in case of any concern you can go to your family doctor's office or to the counseling service face-face of the polyclinic ".

Anonymous and confidential counseling also operates on Wednesdays from eight in the morning to 12 noon at the Máximo Gómez polyclinic in the municipality of Holguín, but if anyone prefers particular guidance or needs more information, they can call the provincial anonymous and confidential telephone line (24-427439) Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

In any of these services, those interested will receive orientation and alternatives for HIV testing.