June 22, 2016

Free HIV testing offered June 27

National HIV Testing Campaign

Contact:
Jennifer S. Sexton
jennifer.sexton@flhealth.gov
941-624-7279

Port Charlotte, Fla. — Free HIV testing is available to the public on June 27 as part of the 22nd annual National HIV Testing campaign.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one out of five people living with HIV in the United States are unaware of their HIV status.  The only way to know if you are infected with HIV is to get tested.

“National HIV Testing Day in a great opportunity to promote HIV testing and early diagnosis.  Knowing your HIV status can not only protect your health by having the chance to receive treatment, but it can also protect the health of partners and loved ones,” states Mary Kay Burns, Interim Health Officer for the Florida Department of Health in Charlotte County.

CDC has found that more than 90 percent of new HIV infections in the United States could be prevented by testing and diagnosing people who have HIV and ensuring they receive prompt, ongoing care and treatment.

Early linkage to and retention in HIV care is central to managing HIV and promoting health among all people living with HIV. HIV medicines can keep people with HIV healthy for many years, and greatly reduce the chance of transmitting HIV to their sex partners.

CDC recommends that everyone between the ages of 13 and 64 get tested for HIV at least once as part of routine health care, and that people with certain risk factors get tested more often. People with more than one sex partner, people with sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), and people who inject drugs are likely to be at high risk and should get tested at least once a year. Sexually active gay and bisexual men may benefit from even more frequent testing, depending on their risk. To protect your own health, you should also get tested if you have been sexually assaulted.  If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, CDC recommends HIV testing with each pregnancy, both for your own benefit and to reduce the risk of transmitting HIV to your baby.

In Charlotte County, HIV and STD education and condom distribution will be offered by the Florida Department of Health in Charlotte County on Monday, June 27th at Florida SouthWestern State College-Charlotte Campus, 26300 Airport Rd outside the breezeway of Building D from 9 AM to 12 PM.  Free rapid HIV testing will be offered at the Florida Department of Health in Charlotte County at 1100 Loveland Blvd from 1 PM to 4 PM.

HIV testing is fast and easy. The OraQuick® HIV Test (rapid test), done with a finger prick, provides preliminary test results in only 15-minutes. Test results are always kept private and not shared with anyone, including family members, significant others, employers or landlords.

About the Florida Department of Health

The department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

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