If we all get tested, we can stop HIV together!

June 27 is National HIV Testing Day! On Saturday, June 26, the Gwinnett, Newton and Rockdale County Health Departments and Live Healthy Gwinnett will be at Lucky Shoals Park in Norcross  from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. educating the community about HIV testing and why knowing your HIV status is important for everyone. We’ll have free games, prizes and food for you to enjoy, so make us part of your weekend!

An estimated 1.2 million people in the United States have HIV, including about 161,800 people who are unaware of their status. Nearly 40% of new HIV infections are transmitted by people who don’t know they have the virus.

Why get tested for HIV?

Everyone should aim to make HIV testing a regular part of his or her healthcare, regardless of relationship status, because HIV can affect anyone – man or woman, hetero- or homosexual, those in committed relationships or not.

Testing for HIV helps you stay healthy, and today, it’s easier than ever to get tested, so why not? For people with undiagnosed HIV, testing is the first step in maintaining a healthy life through treatment and preventing HIV transmission.

How do I get tested for HIV?

Your test, your way! The health department provides rapid testing at our health centers or we can mail you a home HIV test kit so you can self-test in the comfort of your home.

Request a home HIV test kit

This Saturday, we’ll have rapid tests with us at Lucky Shoals Park.

If I don’t have HIV, are there ways I can protect myself from acquiring HIV?

Individuals who are at risk for acquiring HIV can protect themselves by always using condoms and by starting pre-exposure prophylaxis, called PrEP, a daily pill that lowers your chances of acquiring HIV when used as prescribed. The health department offers two kinds of PrEP, Truvada and Descovy. We can help you learn which is right for you.

Condoms are available via a monthly subscription service. That’s right! We’ll mail condoms directly to you. Sign up for Condoms by Mail today.

Since we are talking about condoms, did you know that condoms are always available for free at our health centers? Stop by as needed.

What happens if I test HIV positive?

Receiving a diagnosis of HIV can be a life-changing event. But HIV does not equal death. Most people with HIV live long and healthy lives if they get and stay on treatment. If you test positive for HIV, you’ll be referred to a healthcare provider who can help you start ART, antiretroviral therapy to treat HIV.

Remember, knowing your HIV status helps you stay healthy.

Join us Saturday to learn more or just to talk. If you can’t make it to our event but would like to talk to someone about HIV prevention or testing, give us a call . We are happy to answer any of your questions.