Today is "National HIV Testing Day", an annual event that advocates to encourage all people to "Take the Test Take Control". The CDC's website is promoting the day by offering a large variety of ways to get involved, including information about locations where HIV testing is available. NHTD will also be promoting HIV prevention, including the use of PrEP (Pre Exposure Prophylactics) as an additional form of HIV prevention for groups that are at a higher risk of exposure to HIV. In the United States, nearly 1.1 million people are living with HIV, and one in six don't know they have the virus. An HIV test is the first step to finding out if you have HIV.
Having yourself tested and knowing your HIV status is not only important for your health, it help stops the spread of the virus. It was less than 30 years ago that there was no test available to know if someone was living with the virus. With incredible breakthroughs in HIV treatment, according to the CDC, it is best to get tested to know your status. And if someone receives a positive diagnosis it is vital to see a doctor and follow the prescribed treatment regiment. If this is followed, someone living with HIV can live a long and healthy life.
You can help on today's National HIV Testing Day by getting yourself tested, learning more about HIV and AIDS, and sharing the following graphics with the hashtag #NHTD. You can find more at the CDC web site.