Outrageous Statistics! One in Six are HIV but Don’t Know it
One in six people living with HIV don’t know it. That means these individuals are not getting the treatment they need to stay healthy and may be passing the virus on to others unknowingly. In honor of National HIV Testing Day this Friday, health officials at the health department of Orange and Seminole counties are sponsoring free HIV testing at two locations.
To encourage residents to get tested, the health departments is joining community partners to host “Take the Test, Take Control” screening events. The HIV awareness and prevention campaign emphasizes the importance of making residents aware of their HIV status and of learning about access to prevention and health care.
In Orange County, free HIV testing will be available from noon to 7 p.m. at Walgreens, 2420 East Colonial Drive, Friday, June 27. Free BMI, glucose and blood pressure tests will also be available. The event is sponsored by Walgreens, Heart of Florida United Way, the Florida Department of Health in Orange County and the Central Florida AIDS Planning Consortium.
In Seminole County, free HIV testing will be available at the health department at 400 West Airport Boulevard, Sanford from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., and from 1p.m. to 3 p.m.
“Testing is so important, because routine HIV testing protects individuals, partners and the community's health,” said Dr. Kevin Sherin, director of the Orange County health department.
“AIDS-related deaths occur when people who are infected do not receive the testing, treatment, and care they need,” said Dr. Swannie Jett, health officer for the Seminole County health department.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 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 those who have risk factors get tested more often. Gay and bisexual men, and people who have more than one sex partner, have a sexually transmitted disease, or inject drugs are at high risk and should get tested at least annually.
This year marks the 20th annual National HIV Testing Day. For more information, on National HIV Testing Day, go to http://www.floridahealth.gov/diseases-and-conditions/aids/index.htmlOne in six people living with HIV don’t know it. That means these individuals are not getting the treatment they need to stay healthy and may be passing the virus on to others unknowingly. In honor of National HIV Testing Day this Friday, health officials at the health department of Orange and Seminole counties are sponsoring free HIV testing at two locations.
To encourage residents to get tested, the health departments is joining community partners to host “Take the Test, Take Control” screening events. The HIV awareness and prevention campaign emphasizes the importance of making residents aware of their HIV status and of learning about access to prevention and health care.
In Orange County, free HIV testing will be available from noon to 7 p.m. at Walgreens, 2420 East Colonial Drive, Friday, June 27. Free BMI, glucose and blood pressure tests will also be available. The event is sponsored by Walgreens, Heart of Florida United Way, the Florida Department of Health in Orange County and the Central Florida AIDS Planning Consortium.
In Seminole County, free HIV testing will be available at the health department at 400 West Airport Boulevard, Sanford from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., and from 1p.m. to 3 p.m.
“Testing is so important, because routine HIV testing protects individuals, partners and the community's health,” said Dr. Kevin Sherin, director of the Orange County health department.
“AIDS-related deaths occur when people who are infected do not receive the testing, treatment, and care they need,” said Dr. Swannie Jett, health officer for the Seminole County health department.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 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 those who have risk factors get tested more often. Gay and bisexual men, and people who have more than one sex partner, have a sexually transmitted disease, or inject drugs are at high risk and should get tested at least annually.
This year marks the 20th annual National HIV Testing Day. For more information, on National HIV Testing Day, go to http://www.floridahealth.gov/diseases-and-conditions/aids/index.html.
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