National HIV Testing Day is observed annually on June 27
to encourage everyone to Take the Test, Take Control, and
know their HIV status.
More than 1.1 million people in the U.S. are living with
HIV, but one in five does not know they are positive. Early diagnosis and
treatment improves health, extends life, and helps prevent the spread of HIV.
Maine CDC’s HIV, STD, and Viral Hepatitis Program helps
support HIV testing by providing more than 3,500 tests to high risk populations
in the state every year, which are offered anonymously or confidentially
through community and clinical HIV testing providers and family planning sites.
In 2012, 48 new cases of HIV were reported in Maine. Most of these cases were diagnosed in private
clinical settings. Overall, 1,654 people
in Maine are living with diagnosed HIV, with an estimated 300-400 additional people
living in the state who are positive but don’t know their status.
In Maine and nationally, about 40% of people who are newly diagnosed
with HIV develop AIDS within a year, which indicates that they have been
infected for years prior to being diagnosed.
People with these late diagnoses have a shortened life expectancy and
have missed opportunities for treatment as well as for preventing transmission
to others.
Patients should have an HIV test during medical check-ups, just
like they would have a blood test or a urine test to be sure they are
healthy. Certain people should be
screened more regularly based on their risk factors.
You should get tested for HIV at least every year if you:
- Have had unprotected sex (vaginal, anal, or oral) with multiple or anonymous partners;
- Have had unprotected sex with a partner who did not know their own HIV status;
- Have a history of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs); or
- Share needles/syringes or other equipment (“works”) for injecting drugs.
Some health care providers may recommend testing every 3-6 months if you have certain
risk factors, including injection drug use and/or unprotected sex with others
who engage in high-risk behaviors. Talk
to your health care provider to see how often you should be tested. (Read the
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force’s recommendations for screening.)
