National HIV Testing Day – Wednesday, June 27th
Attention this is a public service announcement:
HIV HAS NOT BEEN CURED!
Sorry to shout, but it is worrisome how many people no longer consider HIV a health concern anymore. While we haven’t seen people die of complications from HIV/AIDS in large numbers since the advent of many treatment regimens in the early to mid 1990′s – people are still becoming infected at an alarming rate – and yes – people are still dying.
HIV/AIDS has claimed the lives of more than 550,000 Americans. Today, about 1.1 million Americans are living with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, and one fifth of those infected are unaware of their infection.
In Mecklenburg County alone the numbers continue to climb with over 300 NEW cases reported in 2009/2010 (the last full year highlighted on the Mecklenburg County Health Department site)
So what is one to do? Sit there with your hands in your lap and wait to become infected or just hope you are not? Hell to Da Naw!
National HIV Testing Day (NHTD), June 27, is an annual observance to promote HIV testing. The National Association of People with AIDS (NAPWA) founded the day in 1995 and continues to be the lead for this observance.
Remember one fifth of those infected are unaware of their infection? Not only could you possibly put others at risk for infection, but if you do have HIV and are not under care you could be risking your own health with opportunistic infections that cause the most sickness for those with HIV/AIDS.
BUT! BUT! BUT! I was just tested two weeks ago – I know I don’t have it.
According to AIDSmeds.com you shouldn’t make false assumptions about your current HIV status based on a test a few weeks ago:
There is a “window period” which is the time it takes the body to produce antibodies after HIV infection has begun. For the vast majority of those who will test positive, antibodies to HIV will develop within 4-6 weeks after exposure. Some will take a little longer to develop antibodies. To make certain that you receive a reliable test result, it’s necessary to wait at least three months (13 weeks) after your last possible exposure to the virus before being tested. – AIDSmeds.com Lessons
There are three important take-aways you should get from this article and National HIV Testing Day:
- Over 200,000 people in the U.S. are living with HIV and don’t even know it
- You can’t make assumptions about your status
- National HIV Testing Day is an opportunity to become aware, get tested and protect yourself with FACTS!
Local Resources:
National Resources: |
National HIV Testing Day Events
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Mecklenburg Health Dept 11a – 3 p.m. (Map)
Free and confidential HIV and Syphilis testing offered at the Employement Security Office (room 220.) For more information please contact Solita Jefferies at 704-432-5474 or at 704-533-5365.
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“I Know Mine” Outreach 11 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. (Map)
RAIN in partnership with The National 100 Black Women Coalition – Queen City Chapter is venturing out on foot along the streets of Uptown to reach out to the white collar workers of the Queen City. Through our “I Know Mine” campaign, we will bring HIV awareness to the community and educate passersby about the importance of getting tested to learn their HIV status.
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PowerHouse Project 1:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. (Map)
PowerHouse Project offers confidential/Secure Testing – Free Cookout as well.
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The LGBT Community Center 5 – 7 p.m. (Map)
Free HIV and Syphilis testing offered by the Mecklenburg County Health Department at the LGBTQ Community Center FREE and CONFIDENTIAL. Call 704-432-TEST for more information.
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RAIN 5 – 7 p.m. (Map)
HIV TESTING (CONFIDENTIAL & FREE) RAIN Office, 501 N. Tryon St, 4th Floor 5:00 – 7:00 PM Encourage your friends and coworkers to stop by RAIN on their way home from work as we will be offering conve…
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The Nickel Bar; 7:00 p.m. – 10:00p.m. (Map)
PowerHouse Project is providing confidential/secure testing at The Nickel Bar – Free Cookout as well. HIV testing at the Nickel Bar.
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