June 27 is National HIV Testing Day

More than 1.1 million people in the U.S. are living with HIV, but one out of every five of them doesn’t know it.  Thursday, June 27, is National HIV Testing Day. On this day, the Gwinnett County Health Department is offering free HIV testing at the Lawrenceville location. Click here for hours and directions.

HIV testing is a critical part of stopping the spread of the virus and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says testing should be a part of routine health care. A panel of doctors and scientists recently recommended that all Americans between age 15 and 65 get tested for HIV, regardless of their risk of infection. HIV testing would help increase detection and decrease the stigma associated with HIV and being tested, according to the panel. HIV testing during pregnancy also is important because antiviral therapy can improve the mother’s health and greatly lower the chance that an HIV-infected pregnant woman will pass HIV to her infant before, during or after birth.

Proper medical care and treatment help people with HIV live longer, healthier lives and can reduce the chances of passing HIV to others.  People who test negative for HIV can take steps to stay negative by not having unprotected sex or engaging in other risky behavior like needle sharing.

Georgians throughout the state can get free HIV tests at select locations on Thursday, June 27, and in some cases through the weekend. For more information about National HIV Testing Day and a list of free HIV testing locations, visit www.dph.ga.gov or http://greaterthan.org/