June 26, 2017
Kate Flavin
316-660-9370
HIV Testing Day
National HIV Testing Day (NHTD) is held annually on June 27. Sedgwick County Division of Health (SCDOH) Sexually Transmitted Infections Clinic will support this effort by offering free conventional HIV testing on Tuesday, June 27 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 2716 West Central. Walk in or call for appointment at 316-660-7300.
NHTD began in 1995 to promote HIV testing and early diagnosis in an effort to maximize testing opportunities. An estimated 36.7 million people are living with HIV/AIDS worldwide with around 1.2 million of those living in the United States (1). It is projected that 1 in 8 positive individuals do not know they are infected (2). With early diagnosis, individuals can be placed into management and care resulting in better health outcomes. CDC notes that “more than 90% of new HIV infections in the United States could be prevented by testing and diagnosing people living with HIV and making sure they receive early, ongoing treatment.” (1)
People may not know they have HIV. As such, testing is important not only for HIV but for all sexually transmitted infections. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends testing for everyone who is sexually active, or who shares needles, or who is in contact with blood.
This year’s theme of “Test Your Way. Do It Today” (3) reflects the focus of individual choices toward testing and obtaining information to promote healthy lifestyles.