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About NHTD
June 27 is National HIV Testing Day – a day to promote HIV-testing and early diagnosis of HIV across the United States.
Each year, on June 27, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), AIDS.gov, and other national and local entities across the country organize National HIV Testing Day. This unique initiative sends the message, "Take the Test, Take Control," to those at risk from HIV.
National HIV Testing Day was launched in 1995 by the National Association of People with AIDS in response to the growing number of HIV infections in communities of color and other heavily impacted communities. Nearly 1.1 million people are living with HIV in the U.S., and one in six don't know they are infected. HIV testing is a critical first step in taking control and responsibility over one's health.
Rapid HIV tests can be conducted almost anywhere and provide results in less than 20 minutes. They can draw oral fluid or blood from a finger prick.
Whether you test negative or positive – knowing your status is empowering:
- If you are negative, knowing gives you peace of mind and incentive to stay HIV-free
- If positive – while a difficult diagnosis – you can get access to effective treatment and care to help you live a long and fulfilling life
This National HIV Testing Day, don’t let fear or misinformation stop you from learning your status. We’re asking everyone to:
- Get the facts about HIV: Know if you are at risk, how it is spread, and take action to protect yourself against it.
- Get tested for HIV: Testing is the first step in protecting yourself and others from infection. CDC recommends that all adults and adolescents be tested for HIV at least once.
- Ask your doctor for an HIV test. Or to find a place to get tested in your community, visit www.hivtest.cdc.gov, call 800-CDC-INFO or text your ZIP code to 566948
- Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM) and people with multiple sex partners or who inject drugs should get an HIV test at least once a year
- Talk about HIV: Use CDC’s Act Against AIDS materials to promote HIV testing in target populations. These materials are available at www.actagainstaids.org. Also, talk about it. Tweet about it. Use #NHTD and #talkHIV to participate in related discussions on Twitter.
- Please join the AAALI National HIV Testing Day Thunderclap by 10:00 a.m. (EDT) on Thursday, June 27, and ask your friends, family, and coworkers to support the message, too.
