Latest news with #NationalHIVTestingDay
WebMD
15-07-2025
- Health
- WebMD
Why I Still Get Tested for HIV, Even After My Diagnosis
Nine years ago, I got tested for HIV. There was no dramatic movie moment. No ominous music. Just a quiet room … and a truth that would reshape how I saw myself, my body, and the world around me. I tested positive. And nearly a decade later, here's something that surprises a lot of folks: I still get tested. Yes, even after diagnosis. Even after achieving undetectable viral loads. Even after becoming an advocate, educator, and public health professional. Because testing – for me – has never just been about diagnosis. It's about care. It's about clarity. It's about love. National HIV Testing Day: More Than a Single Test Every year on June 27, we observe National HIV Testing Day – a call to action that encourages all folx to know and speak their status. But this moment is about more than a single test. It's a reminder that testing isn't something you check off once. It's something you return to, again and again – with tenderness, with curiosity, and with courage. For Black women especially, that reminder is critical. We face higher vulnerability, limited access, and deeper stigma when it comes to our sexual health. And yet, we've inherited generations of brilliance, care, and survival – along with the right to understand, protect, and advocate for our bodies without apology. Why I Still Get Tested You might ask: What's the point? Why still get tested? And I get it. For many, testing feels like a starting line – something you only do when you don't know where you stand. But for me, it's a rhythm. A ritual. A holistic way to check in with myself – honestly and without rushing past the truth. When I get tested, I'm not just looking for lab results. I'm asking bigger questions: Am I honoring my health with the same energy I give to others? Am I continuously making space for my own healing? I still get full panels for STIs and STDs. I stay informed about PrEP, PEP, and DoxyPEP. I stay connected to my medical care team – because staying informed is one of the most loving things I can do for myself. Not out of fear – but out of reverence. Too often, a full panel is wrapped in fear and shame – like wanting to know what's going on with your body is something to whisper about. But here's what I know: Testing is an act of self-respect. It's a way to love yourself enough to stay informed. It's a step toward protection and autonomy. When we say, 'Know and speak your status,' what we're really saying is: Know your power. Know your wellness. Know your way forward. If it's been a while since your last test, let this be your gentle nudge – not because something's wrong, but because you deserve to know what's right for you. Here's how to get started: Visit to find free or low-cost testing near you. Talk to your provider about PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis), PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis), and DoxyPEP (doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis). Start a conversation with your partner(s) – it might feel awkward, but it's a powerful act of trust. Testing isn't about judgment. It's about honoring your path, protecting your health, and tending to what matters most. Whether it's your first test or your 50th, walk in with your head held high. You are worthy of care. And that care starts with knowing. Nine years ago, I walked into a quiet room and learned a truth that changed everything. Today, I'm asking you to find your own quiet room – not because you have to, but because you deserve to know what's true for you.
Associated Press
27-06-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
Live Love Life Hosts Largest National HIV Testing Day Event Across Central and Northeast Florida
Live Love Life Community Health Care Clinics will host its largest outreach effort to date, offering free, walk-in HIV testing at multiple locations. HOLLY HILL, FL, UNITED STATES, June 27, 2025 / / -- In recognition of National HIV Testing Day on Friday, June 27, Live Love Life Community Health Care Clinics will host its largest outreach effort to date, offering free, walk-in HIV testing at multiple locations across Central and Northeast Florida. The event will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., providing residents with a simple, fast, and confidential way to know their status and access supportive care. The testing sites will be located at the Live Love Life Clinic in Holly Hill. In addition, testing will be available at three off-site Walgreens and pharmacy locations: Walgreens #7241 in Deltona, Walgreens #4441 in Daytona Beach, and PHD Pharmacy in Orlando. All locations will offer free rapid HIV tests, with no appointments necessary, and results are available in minutes. 'At Live Love Life, we believe health equity begins wherever people are; not just inside a clinic,' says Mark Walczyk, CEO of Live Love Life. 'That's why today, we're meeting our community where they live, work, and gather; with free STI, HIV, and hepatitis C testing, health education, and real pathways to care. We invite everyone—whether you're curious, concerned, or simply care about your health - to stop by, bring a friend, and take one small step toward something better. Because this is more than public health, this is public love.' National HIV Testing Day is a critical moment to increase awareness around HIV prevention, testing, and treatment. Early diagnosis not only improves health outcomes but also plays a vital role in preventing the spread of HIV within the community. Through this event, Live Love Life aims to empower individuals to take charge of their health and encourage open conversations about testing and care. Beyond HIV testing, Live Love Life Clinics offer a wide range of inclusive health services year-round. These include hepatitis C testing and treatment, harm reduction support, PrEP and PEP education, LGBTQIA+ affirming care, and assistance with insurance enrollment and benefits navigation. The organization has established clinics in Holly Hill, Daytona, Ormond Beach, Deland, Orlando (Pine Hills and Universal), and Jacksonville (Downtown and Southside), with additional locations in development. Community members are encouraged to attend, bring friends or loved ones, and help spread the word about this life-saving initiative. No registration is required—just walk in and get tested. For more information about Live Love Life, please visit Charlie Walker Live Love Life email us here Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
Forbes
27-06-2025
- Health
- Forbes
National HIV Testing Day Commemorates 30th Anniversary
LOS ANGELES - APRIL 28: A motorhome converted into a mobile HIV screening lab by the AIDS ... More Healthcare Foundation (AHF) is parked on a busy street on its first day of operations on April 28, 2004 in Los Angeles, California. The test reports a client's HIV status in only 20 minutes with accuracy reportedly greater than 99 percent using a single drop of blood drawn from the finger. AHF gives same-day counseling and support to walk-in clients who test positive to HIV. Rapid testing solves the problem of large numbers of people not returning for their test results from older methods that take as long as two week to return results. California's multi-billion dollar pornography industry is currently in a voluntary 60-day moratorium following the recent HIV infection of two porn stars who had been in sexual contact with dozens of people in the adult entertainment industry. (Photo by) Since 1995, National HIV Testing Day has provided a platform to raise awareness and confront stereotypes about HIV in the United States. The theme for 2025's Testing Day is 'Level up your self-love: check your status.' What is HIV? HIV is the acronym for human immunodeficiency virus. The initial symptoms of HIV resemble many other illnesses: chills, fatigue, fever, swollen lymph nodes, etc. In fact, some people may not know that they are positive for HIV because they may not have developed noticeable health symptoms at all. According to stats published by around half the amount of polled young people, ages 13-24, did not know if they were positive for HIV. In the same poll, around 30% of adults, ages 25-34, reported that they also did not know their HIV health status. If a person has HIV but hasn't been diagnosed, that person can unknowingly transmit the virus to others. Many medical professionals recommend routine HIV tests, especially for patients who already undergo STI screenings. Routine HIV testing can help diagnose an infection as early as possible. This prompt detection can ensure that an HIV-positive person can receive medical treatments to prevent HIV from advancing into AIDS. A common misconception conflates HIV and AIDS, or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. As HIV enters its advanced stages, it can result in worsening damage to a patient's immune system. However, early diagnosis and antiretroviral (ARV) treatment can prevent HIV from developing into the more dangerous condition of AIDS. There is no current cure for HIV; however, the CDC emphasizes that 'people with HIV who get on and stay on effective HIV treatment can live long, healthy lives and protect their partners.' HIV can only spread through bodily fluids like breast milk, blood, semen, rectal, and vaginal fluids. Unprotected sex is a common method of transmission for HIV. Men who have anal sex with other men have historically been identified as experiencing a higher risk of potentially coming into contact with HIV. However, a person's sexual orientation is not innately a risk factor. Any person who experiences anal fissures or vaginal dryness might experience bleeding or minor tearing during unprotected sex. These damaged tissues can increase the risk of transmitting HIV because bodily fluids may come into contact with your mucus membrane. While HIV is often transmitted through sexual contact, there are other ways that the virus can spread. Contaminated needles can expose people to HIV. Mothers with HIV may transmit the virus to their children through breastfeeding. What Are Prevention and Testing Options? You can lower your risk for HIV and other illnesses by taking the following actions: - Use condoms and dental dams - Use medical-grade, sterile needles - Never share needles with other people, and never inject yourself with a needle someone else has already used - Disposing of medical equipment safely to avoid accidental needle pricks - Getting routinely tested for HIV Condoms are an effective tool for preventing the transmission of HIV because condoms limit your exposure to bodily fluids. According to a study published in the Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes, condoms are between 70%-80% effective at preventing the spread of HIV. If you worry that you may be at risk, you might consider a preventative treatment like Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, or PrEP. For over ten years, PrEP has helped prevent patients from developing HIV. If you are interested in testing options, consult with your doctor or your local health department. On National HIV Testing Day, many pharmacies (including participating Walgreens locations across America) offer free rapid HIV tests and other resources.
Chicago Tribune
25-06-2025
- Health
- Chicago Tribune
Lake County mobile clinic to offer free HIV testing in Hammond Friday
The Lake County Health Department and The Aliveness Project will offer free HIV testing to Lake County residents Friday in Hammond. The testing will be offered Friday as part of National HIV Testing Day, which has been a day of observance for the last 30 years. The Lake County Mobile Clinic will be in the Walgreens Parking lot, 6905 Kennedy Ave., Hammond, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends anyone between the ages 13 to 64 be tested for HIV at least once. Those with certain risk factors should be tested more frequently, according to a press release from the Lake County Health Department. Early detection and care are crucial for managing HIV, according to the release, and testing remains one of the most effective protocols to end the HIV epidemic. 'HIV testing is an act of self-love. It is a powerful expression of self-respect, compassion, and care, not only for oneself, but for our community. Knowing your HIV status is a key step in protecting your health and the health of others,' according to the release.
Business Wire
24-06-2025
- Health
- Business Wire
CAN Community Health and Walgreens Partner for National HIV Testing Day
TAMPA, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--On National HIV Testing Day, CAN Community Health is partnering with Walgreens to support the national 'Greater Than HIV' campaign. This initiative provides free, confidential HIV testing at Walgreens locations nationwide on Friday, June 27, 2025. "This partnership with Walgreens reflects our core mission of empowering wellness," said Kal Gajraj, PhD, Chief Marketing Officer at CAN Community Health. As part of this national initiative, CAN Community Health mobile units will be stationed at select Walgreens locations across the country, offering on-site HIV testing, prevention education, and linkage to care. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), approximately 1.1 million people across the United States are living with HIV today. Nearly 1 in 7 of those individuals are unaware of their status. This effort underscores the shared commitment of CAN Community Health and Walgreens to expand access to healthcare, reduce stigma, and empower individuals to take charge of their health. "Early detection through routine HIV testing is one of the most effective tools we have to stop the spread of HIV," said Steven Barnett, MD, AAHIVS, Chief Medical Officer at CAN Community Health. "By partnering with Walgreens, we are reaching people where they are, with compassion, dignity, and care." 'Greater Than HIV,' an initiative launched by The Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF), collaborated with 415 organizations and is testing at 575 Walgreens stores nationwide. This year's activation marks a record level of participation in the organization's 15-year history. Since 2011, the partnership between 'Greater Than HIV' and Walgreens has provided more than 93,000 free HIV/STD tests. "This partnership with Walgreens reflects our core mission of empowering wellness," said Kal Gajraj, PhD, Chief Marketing Officer at CAN Community Health. "By bringing free HIV testing directly into neighborhoods, we're removing barriers and providing the tools people need to stay informed, stay healthy, and live well." CAN Community Health mobile units will be located at select Walgreens locations in Arlington, Texas; Columbia, South Carolina; Las Vegas, Nevada; Norfolk, Virginia; Phoenix, Arizona, and across Florida in Cape Coral, Daytona Beach, Ft. Lauderdale, Hialeah, Jacksonville, Miami Beach, North Port, Orlando, Sarasota, and Tampa. About CAN Community Health CAN Community Health is the nation's premier resource in ending epidemics with a mission of empowering wellness. Headquartered in Tampa, Florida, CAN Community Health operates clinics nationwide across Arizona, Florida, Nevada, South Carolina, Texas, and Virginia. Since 1991, CAN Community Health has delivered high-quality care to those affected by HIV, Hepatitis C, and other sexually transmitted diseases through outreach, integrated clinical practice, advocacy, education, and research. For more information about CAN Community Health and its services, please visit
