To mark National HIV Testing Day on June 27, Delaware's Division of Public Health (DPH) and its community partners are reminding state residents that free, rapid HIV testing continues to be available at sites throughout the state – all year long.
“Testing is free at DPH clinics and many community-based partner organizations across the state, and the rapid test provides results in less than 20 minutes. There is absolutely no reason anyone has to wait for National HIV Testing Day to get a test.” said Jim Dickinson, DPH HIV Prevention Program Administrator.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that one in five of people with HIV don’t know they are infected and don’t even think they could be infected. "If you are infected and do not know it, you are more likely to infect someone else," said Dr. Karyl Rattay, DPH Director. "The best way everyone can help fight this epidemic is by getting educated about how to stop spreading this virus, by getting tested, and by getting treatment if needed."
Like high blood pressure or diabetes, HIV can damage the body long before symptoms become obvious or life threatening. Just as routine screening for high blood pressure or diabetes is recommended for early detection and treatment, the CDC recommends that everyone age 13-64 receive routine HIV screenings as part of regular medical care. "The benefits of early treatment are indisputable. If you wait until you are sick to find out if you have HIV, those early benefits may be lost,” Dickinson said.
“It’s true that not everyone is at risk for HIV infection. People live different lives and do different things. But most of us can remember a time when things did not go exactly as planned or we did something we would not usually do. If you have never been tested, why not just test to make sure?”
“Of great concern,” continued Dr. Rattay, “is that the 20 percent of people that have HIV and don’t know it are responsible for infecting 50 percent of people that get HIV infection each year. Getting tested, at least once, is a way to help make sure you are not infecting those that you care about.”
To find a testing site close to you and basic HIV prevention information, visit www.hivtest.org and type in your ZIP code. If you do not have internet access, call 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636). You can also visit the HIV Prevention Program at www.dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dph/dpc/hivaidsprogram.html for additional information.
