National HIV Testing Day
One in 8 people living with HIV in the U.S. don’t know they have it. You can help change this — spread the word about National HIV Testing Day on June 27.
HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is the virus that causes AIDS. Many people with HIV don’t have any symptoms. The only way to know if you have HIV is to get tested.
The only way to know if you have HIV is to get tested. You could have HIV and still feel healthy.
How is Georgia doing?
It is estimated that approximately 14% of people living with HIV in the nation don’t know they have it. The proportion of persons living with HIV in Georgia with undiagnosed HIV is estimated at 18%. The only way to know for sure if one is infected with HIV is to be tested. Undiagnosed persons run the risk of disease progression, and transmitting the virus to others.
Of the 49,828 persons living with HIV in Georgia in 2014, 60% had at least one HIV care visit (any care), 48% had at least 2 visits (retained in care), and 46% were virally suppressed (VL <200 copies/ml).
Among the 2885 adults and adolescents diagnosed with HIV in 2013 in Georgia, 75% were linked to care within 1 month of diagnosis.
How often do I need to get tested for HIV?
Everyone ages 15 to 65 needs to get tested for HIV at least once. All pregnant women also need to get tested.
How often you need to get tested depends on your risk for HIV infection. Talk to your doctor or nurse about your risk for HIV. Ask how often you need to get tested.
Get tested for HIV at least once a year if you:
- Have sex without a condom with someone who may have HIV
- Use drugs with needles
- Have a sex partner who has HIV
- Have had a sexually transmitted disease (STD)
- Have sex with more than one partner
- Have sex with people you don’t know
- Have sex for drugs or money
- Are a woman who has sex with a man who also has sex with other men
If you are a man who has sex with men, you may need to get tested more than once a year – like every 3 to 6 months.
Sources: NIH, Georgia DPH
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