By Connor Boyd
BLOOMINGTON – National HIV Testing Day was recognized this weekend. The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is encouraging everyone to get tested for HIV.
IDPH spokesperson Michael Gaines says why getting tested for HIV is so crucial.
“With some of the medication and treatment that are out there that if you get into care, you actually can have a long standing life, just by getting into treatment”, said Gaines. “You need to meet with your doctor and your physician and get tested, that’s the most important thing.”
As of December 31, 2014 more than 37,000 people were living with HIV in Illinois and on average 1,800 people are diagnosed with HIV in the state each year. Gaines said the numbers also reveal several residents are unaware of their illness.
“It’s more crucial today, because there are about 1.2 million people living with the HIV and about 14 percent, which is nearly 170,000 people, don’t even know that they have it.”
The Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates one in every seven people living with HIV don’t know. The populations in Illinois with the highest number of new infections include gay men of all races and injection drug users.
“We recommend that healthcare providers test everyone from ages 13 to 64”, added Gaines. “Especially those who have unprotected sex with multiple partners, particularly men who have sex with other men, those who inject drugs, steroids, hormones, probably should get tested.”
“Take the Test, Take Control” hosted two events over the weekend to raise HIV awareness.
Connor Boyd can be reached at [email protected].
