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Pace’s Health Connection Observes National HIV Testing Day

6/27/2011

Pace’s Health Connection Observes

National HIV Testing Day

 

 

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a preventable disease that continues to challenge our public health system. Testing is a critical first step in preventing the spread of the virus. National HIV Testing Day, observed on June 27th, is designed to give people nationwide an opportunity to learn their HIV status and to take control of their health and their lives. A person could be infected with HIV and not know it. Generally, you cannot tell what their HIV status is just by looking at someone. The virus takes time before there may be noticeable symptoms. The only way to know if you are infected is to be tested. “HIV does not care who it infects or what age, race, sex, or sexual orientation a person is,” says Pam Jackson, RN, Health Educator for Health Connection.

People who get tested for HIV and learn that they are infected can make significant behavior changes to improve their health and reduce the risk of transmitting HIV to others. More than 50 percent of new HIV infections occur as a result of the 21 percent of people who have HIV but do not know it.

The following behaviors may put a person at a greater risk for HIV infection including:

  • Have unprotected sex (sex without using a latex or polyurethane condom every time) with multiple partners or with someone who is HIV-positive. You're at risk whether you're heterosexual, homosexual or bisexual.
  • Have another sexually transmitted infection, such as syphilis, herpes, chlamydia, gonorrhea, or bacterial vaginosis.
  • Share needles during intravenous drug use.
  • Received a blood transfusion or blood products before 1985.
  • Have unprotected sex with someone who has any of the risk factors listed above.

Health Connection of Pace Community Action Agency, Inc. encourages awareness of HIV and the importance of testing and treatment. For more information or to schedule an appointmentcall (812) 882-6069.

 

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