National HIV Testing Day --- June 27, 2010

[getSTDtested Administrator]

National HIV Testing Day --- June 27, 2010

National HIV Testing Day is observed each year on June 27 to promote testing for and diagnosis of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Persons who learn they are infected with HIV can receive appropriate health care, treatment, monitoring, and prevention services, and can survive longer. They also can avoid transmitting the virus to others, thereby controlling the spread of HIV.

In 2006, an estimated 21% of those living with HIV infection in the United States (232,700 persons) were not aware of their HIV infection. To increase HIV testing and awareness of infection status, CDC recommended in September 2006 that all persons aged 13--64 years be screened for HIV in health-care settings. CDC also recommended that persons with increased risk for HIV be retested at least annually. In 2006, 40.4% (an estimated 71.5 million persons) of U.S. adults aged 18--64 years reported ever being tested for HIV infection. In January--September 2009, this percentage was 44.6% (an estimated 80 million persons). This increase, in addition to recent increases in new HIV diagnoses, indicates that more persons in the United States have been tested for HIV, and a greater number of HIV-infected persons are learning of their diagnoses earlier.


SOURCE: foodconsumer.org - National HIV Testing Day --- June 27, 2010