2023-10-05 14:11:00
27th Annual AIDS-Covid-Hepatitis Forum Addresses Current Medical Challenges
The 27th AIDS-Covid-Hepatitis Forum, organized by the AIDS/STI Rhineland-Palatinate North Working Group in collaboration with the State Center for Health Promotion in Rhineland-Palatinate eV (LZG), the Support Association of the Immunological Ambulance Koblenz eV, and the Middle Rhine Community Hospital, took place recently at the Kemperhof conference center in Mainz, Germany. The event, attended by participants both in person and via livestream from Germany, Europe, and the USA, highlighted the latest developments and challenges in the fields of HIV, AIDS, Covid-19, and viral hepatitis.
The forum was inaugurated by David Langner, Mayor of the City of Koblenz, and Clemens Hoch, Minister for Science and Health of the State of Rhineland-Palatinate, who served as patrons of the event.
Dr. med. Ansgar Rieke, chief physician at the Clinic for Internal Medicine, Nephrology, and Infectious Diseases at Kemperhof, began the forum by providing a comprehensive overview of HIV, AIDS, and Covid-19. Rieke emphasized the significance of vaccinations in preventing severe cases and hospitalizations. He also discussed the current state of the coronavirus pandemic, highlighting the increased immunization rates through vaccinations and previous infections, which have contributed to a lower hospitalization rate.
Rieke also shed light on the evolving antiviral treatment options for Covid-19 and presented the recommendations of the Standing Vaccination Commission (STIKO). He reassured attendees that a vaccine adapted to new variants has been ordered and is ready for use. Rieke stated that Covid-19 is expected to become a milder illness resembling a “normal cold” by 2022.
The focus then shifted to HIV and AIDS. Dr. Rieke acknowledged a decline in the number of new infections and deaths related to HIV and AIDS. However, he highlighted the importance of early initiation of antiretroviral therapy in reducing viral load and transmission. Rieke stressed the need for increased clinical testing to ensure timely diagnosis and treatment initiation.
Prof. Dr. med. Clara Lehmann, head of the infectious disease clinic at the University Hospital of Cologne, addressed post-Covid syndrome, also known as Long Covid. She discussed the symptoms, risk factors, and diagnosis of this condition and emphasized the importance of multimodal therapy, which includes various interventions such as physiotherapy, respiratory therapy, and neuropsychological therapy. Lehmann called for increased research to better understand post-viral syndromes and their treatment.
The latest developments in viral hepatitis, specifically hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and hepatitis D, were presented by Prof. Dr. med. Kilian Weigand, chief physician of internal medicine, gastroenterology, gastroenterological tumor therapy, and diabetology at Kemperhof. Weigand expressed concerns about the increasing number of infections and the current limitations in achieving the goal of eliminating viral hepatitis by 2030. He highlighted the availability of a new treatment option for hepatitis D, a complex therapy that was previously unavailable.
PD Dr. med. Carolynn Schwarze-Zander, an infectious disease specialist from Bonn, provided an overview of the current recommendations of the Standing Vaccination Commission (STIKO) and the effectiveness of various vaccinations. She emphasized the importance of vaccinations for healthcare workers, including flu and Covid-19 vaccines, to protect vulnerable patients.
Prof. Dr. med. Karl-Heinz Leven, Director of the Institute for the History and Ethics of Medicine at the University of Erlangen, drew analogies between the current Covid-19 pandemic and past epidemics such as the plague, cholera, Spanish flu, and AIDS. He highlighted the cultural, scientific, and political aspects of coping with epidemics throughout history and emphasized the importance of studying these experiences in context.
Dr. Matthias Krell, Managing Director of the LZG, and Monika Kislik, Deputy Head of AIDS/STI Prevention and Health Promotion, presented five short films showcasing contemporary content on sexually transmitted diseases. The films, created in collaboration with the Kemperhof Immunological Outpatient Clinic and their patients, aim to provide a modern digital component for AIDS prevention education.
The 27th AIDS-Covid-Hepatitis Forum served as a platform for experts and professionals to exchange knowledge, discuss challenges, and explore new developments in the fields of HIV, AIDS, Covid-19, and viral hepatitis. With the ongoing global fight against these infectious diseases, the forum provided valuable insights and recommendations for future prevention and treatment strategies.]
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