Today is National HIV Testing Day!

 

Today is National HIV Testing Day, so if you have not already been tested go out there and get tested. Lets look at some numbers “ According to recently released data, nearly 82 percent of the more than 1.1 million people living with HIV in the United States are aware of their infection.” -aids.gov   

That is just the people who are aware that they have the infection, what about the people who are not aware? “18 percent of Americans with HIV don’t know they are infected.  That’s more than 200,000 people.” -aids.gov 

 By being tested, your not only protecting yourself, but your also protecting your loved ones as well. So let’s talk about testing, there are many places you can get tested including the health department, public health clinic, or your doctor’s office.

The most common HIV test is the antibody test, there are two types

“ Enzyme immunoassay (EIA) tests use blood, oral fluid, or urine to detect HIV antibodies. Results for these tests can take up to two weeks.” -aids.gov

 “Rapid HIV antibody tests also use blood, oral fluid, or urine to detect HIV antibodies. Results for these tests can take 10–20 minutes.”-aids.gov

If either tests comes up positive there is a test called the Western blot test that you would need to take to confirm the positive result. It takes about two weeks to receive results.  

The CDC recommends that opt-out HIV screening being part of your regular medical checkup if you’re between the ages of 13-64. If nothing else you should at least get tested once a year if any of the following applies to you:

“ Share needles/syringes or other equipment (“works”) for injecting drugs

Have a history of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)

Have had unprotected sex (vaginal, anal, or oral) with multiple or anonymous partners. 
Or if you have had had unprotected sex with a partner who did not know their own HIV status.” -aids.gov

Talk with your health care provider to determine how often you should get tested. Many HIV testing sites offer pre and post test counseling, where you can learn more about HIV as well as the HIV test. However, some testing sites may not offer counseling, its always best to ask if your interested. If they do not offer counseling, they might be able to refer you to a service provider that does. (Source aids.gov)

Check out this video

Testing at select Walgreens locations will be available June 27-29 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. daily and is provided by health departments and AIDS organizations.

Click this link to find out more greaterthan.org

Greaterthan.org says there are 5 ways to be greater than AIDS, so here are 5 ways to be greater than HIV:

 One, is to learn more about HIV from sites like aids.gov and greaterthan.org

 Two, talk about HIV with friends and family, so that everyone is learning. Why not start that conversation with a movie. Check out this movie called Life Support starring Queen Latifah, its based on the true-life story of writer-director Nelson George's HIV-positive sister, Andrea Williams.

Three, is to protect yourself, if you are sexually active make sure you and your partner use protection.

 Four, get tested, find a provider by typing in your address or zip code Or text your zip code to KNOWIT (566948) or call CDC INFO 24 hours a day at 1-800-CDC-INFO (232-4636).

Five, Take action and spread the word!

 For more information check out these websites www.aids.gov and www.greaterthan.org