June 27 is National HIV Testing Day

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is the virus that causes AIDS. In honor of National HIV Testing Day Thursday June 27, Pride Pharmacy encourages you to get tested for HIV.

The only way to know if you have HIV is to get tested. Many people with HIV don’t have any symptoms. In the United States, 1 in 5 people living with HIV don't know they have it.

Am I at risk for HIV?

HIV is spread through some of the body’s fluids, like blood, semen, vaginal fluids, and breast milk. HIV is passed from one person to another by:

• Having unprotected sex (vaginal, anal, or oral) with a person who has HIV
• Sharing needles with someone who has HIV
• Breastfeeding, pregnancy, or childbirth if the mother has HIV
• Getting a blood transfusion that has HIV (very rare in the U.S.)

Who should get tested?

• Sexually active men or women, who are NOT in a long term, mutually monogamous relationship
• Sexually active men who have sex with men (MSM), who are NOT in a long term, mutually monogamous relationship
• Pregnant women
• Any person seeking STD evaluation or treatments

(This information was take from the CDC website)

HIV testing is covered for many people under the Affordable Care Act, the health care reform law passed in 2010. Depending on your insurance plan, you may be able to get tested at no cost to you. Talk to your insurance provider.

For more information or to find an HIV testing center near you, please visit http://hivtest.cdc.gov