Monday--National HIV Testing Day

According to the CDC, over 1 million Americans are living with HIV. One in 5 is unaware of their infection and may be spreading it to others.  The best way to protect yourself is to know your HIV status and that of your partners.  In observance of National HIV Testing Day (June 27), McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) is offering free, confidential or anonymous rapid HIV testing for at-risk individuals.  The test consists of a small finger-stick blood sample and results are available in less than 30 minutes.  Individuals are also assessed for risk factors and provided educational material. 

According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, as of December 31, 2010, there are 124 people in McHenry County living with HIV; 74 of whom have advanced to AIDS.

This month marks 30 years since the first AIDS case was reported in the United States.  Twenty-one percent (21%) of those infected are unaware of their status and are at risk of transmitting the virus to others. People who engage in certain behaviors are at an increased risk of becoming infected with HIV. Those who may be at risk include men who have sex with men, intravenous drug users, people with 2 or more STD’s in the past 12 months, people who exchange sex for something they need, people who average 6 or more partners a month, or anyone who has had unprotected sex with any of the above.

For more information, visit http://aids.gov/hiv-aids-basics or make an appointment at MCDH at 815-334-4500