June 27 is National HIV Test Day - Do You Know Your Status?
Thursday, June 26, 2008
JC Jones MA RN
This weekend I watched a fascinating movie - Cover a murder mystery filmed in my home town of Philadelphia. It's a mystery with an HIV/AIDS twist and features the main character - a married woman- waiting at a clinic for her HIV test.
The CDC estimates that as many as 25% of the people infected with HIV/AIDS in the US don't know their status. The National Association of People Living with AIDS (NAPWA) started National HIV Testing Day 13 years ago as a way to promote early diagnosis and treatment - and of course prevent the spread to other unsuspecting people. The NAPWA site makes it easy to search for a testing center by your zip code.
You can get tested with complete anonymity at any of these clinics. Or if you want to get involved in any of the public events happening this week in to bring awareness to this issue, there are many opportunities.
Actress and activist Sheryl Lee Ralph and state Senator Vincent Hughes will be hosting a press event to encourage couples to get tested with their “TEST TOGETHER” campaign on Friday, June 27, 2008 to honor National HIV Testing Day at 11 AM at Love Park at 16th and JFK Boulevard in Philadelphia. Look for events like this one in your city and get tested this week. Know your status!
2 Comments:
At Fri Jun 27, 06:55:00 AM 2008,
PharmacistMike said…
Another option for HIV testing, perhaps for those that for some reason do not want to go to the doctor's office or a clinic is the Home Access brand HIV test for home use. Be careful, the Home Access kit is the only one approved by the FDA. For a while there were others marketed on-line that were not approved so you need to make sure you get the correct one. The kit is available at many pharmacies and on-line home health screening companies. It is just another option that can bring complete anonymity to the testing. With the highly active anti-viral medications we now have people are able to live long lives with HIV as a chronic disease. Unfortunately, according to the CDC 25% of those infected just are not aware that they are infected so our big challenge is still getting people tested.
At Fri Jun 27, 03:14:00 PM 2008,
JC Jones MA RN said…
Thank You Pharmacist Mike, for helpful information!
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