June 27th:  HIV testing day



Each year, on June 27, the National Association of People With AIDS (NAPWA), in partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), AIDS.gov, and other national and local entities across the country organizes National HIV Testing Day. This unique initiative sends the message, “Take the Test, Take Control,” to those at risk from HIV from those already living with HIV.

National HIV Testing Day was developed in response to the growing number of HIV infections in communities of color and other heavily impacted communities. Nearly 1.2 million people are living with HIV in the U.S., and almost one in five don’t know they are infected.

Who should get the HIV test?
Here is what the CDC’s website says:
The following are behaviors that increase your chances of getting HIV. If you answer yes to any of them, you should definitely get an HIV test. If you continue with any of these behaviors, you should be tested every year. Talk to a health care provider about an HIV testing schedule that is right for you.

—Have you injected drugs or steroids or shared equipment (such as needles, syringes, works) with others?
—Have you had unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex with men who have sex with men, multiple partners, or anonymous partners?
—Have you exchanged sex for drugs or money?
—Have you been diagnosed with or treated for hepatitis, tuberculosis (TB), or a sexually transmitted disease (STD), like syphilis?
—Have you had unprotected sex with someone who could answer yes to any of the above questions?
—If you have had sex with someone whose history of sex partners and/or drug use is unknown to you or if you or your partner has had many sex partners, then you have more of a chance of being infected with HIV. Both you and your new partner should get tested for HIV, and learn the results, before having sex for the first time.

For women who plan to become pregnant, testing is even more important. If a woman is infected with HIV, medical care and certain drugs given during pregnancy can lower the chance of passing HIV to her baby. All women who are pregnant should be tested during each pregnancy.
For more information on HIV testing visit the CDC website at http://hivtest.cdc.gov/faq.aspx

Participating organizations, including the Inglewood Wellness Center, believe that HIV testing is a critical first step in taking control and responsibility over one’s health.  To find a South LA location to take a free HIV test log onto the CDC’s website.

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