National HIV Testing Day June 27th is National HIV Testing day and while you might not see yourself as being part of an at-risk population, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says everyone should get tested. The CDC says one out of every five people who have HIV don't know they're infected. [Scanning electron micrograph of HIV-1 budding from cultured lymphocyte.] The message this year is different from years past. That’s because in April, the U-S Preventive Services Task Force released new recommendations saying everyone aged 15-65 should be screened for HIV. Screening is widely accessible at a range of community organizations. Laud Jean-Jacques, Program Director at the Center for Multi-Cultural Wellness and Prevention, said getting tested is quick and easy. “So the test that we will be providing is what they call the Clear View rapid testing. It’s just a prick in your finger and you get the results after 20 minutes,” he said. The CDC keeps a list of community organizations that offer testing, and in many cases it’s free. Plus there are two FDA approved at-home kits available, Jean-Jacques said his organization will offer testing at their location on North Rio Grande Avenue, and out in the community. The CDC estimates more than a million Americans are living with HIV. |
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