Since June 27, 1995, the National Association of People With AIDS (NAPWA), in partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Prevention Information Network (NPIN), and other national and local entities across the country, has organized National HIV Testing Day. This unique initiative sends the message to those at risk from those already living with HIV that there are powerful reasons for learning one's HIV status.
National HIV Testing Day was developed in response to the growing number of HIV infections in communities of color and other heavily impacted commuities. Today, CDC estimates approximately 250,000 Americans are linving with HIV BUT DO NOT KNOW their HIV status.
Voluntary HIV testing is a critical first step in taking control and responsiblity over one's health. National HIV testing Day promotes the message "Take the Test, Take Control" to a demographically diverse audience and numerous communties nationwide. Finding out if you have HIV is the first step to improving your health and the health of your partners, family and community.
National HIV Testing Recommendations:
- Routine HIV screening for
- All patients aged 13-64
- Patients seeking treatment for STDs
- Patients initiating TB treatment
- Repeat HIV screening for
- Persons at high risk (IV drug users and their sex partners, Persons exchanging sex for money, Sex partners of HIV+ persons, Persons who had more than one sex partner since their last HIV test)
- Persons starting a new sexual relationship
- Others based on clinical judgment
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