World AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) Day
was established in 1988 by the World Health Organization (WHO) to raise
awareness and promote advocacy and education about the global AIDS epidemic
which is commemorated each year on December 1st. In observance of World
AIDS Day, McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) is offering free
confidential rapid HIV testing to those individuals at high risk for infection.
To determine if you qualify for free testing, call MCDH at 815-334-4847.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC), over 1.2 million Americans are infected. One in 5 is
unaware of their infection, with about 50,000 becoming newly infected every
year. The Illinois Department of Public Health reports there are 123
people in McHenry County living with HIV, 72 of which have advanced to
AIDS.
Ensuring people have the information, motivation, and
skills necessary to reduce their risk continues to play an important role in
preventing the spread of HIV. The best way to protect yourself is to know
your HIV status and that of your partners. Most people change behaviors
to protect their partners if they know they are infected with HIV.
For more information, visit http://aids.gov/hiv-aids-basics or
call MCDH at 815-334-4500.
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