Thursday is National HIV Testing Day

National HIV Testing Day is Thursday, June 27, and the Greenwich Health Department is providing testing services—the same services they offer every Tuesday and Thursday.

The testing promotes the importance of testing to detect the virus so one can treat the disease, access essential medical care and prevent additional cases, but many may not realize that there is free testing for HIV at the Greenwich Health Department every Tuesday and Thursday in Town Hall, according to a statement from the department.

According to the department,

"Too many people don’t know they have HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) the virus that can lead to AIDS. More than 1 million people are living with HIV in the United States, but 1 in 5 don’t know they are infected.  

"According The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that everyone between the ages of 13 and 64 get tested for HIV at least once as part of routine health care.  HIV testing is recommended once a year for people at increased risk such as gay and bisexual men, injection drug users, people with multiple sex partners, and people diagnosed with another sexually transmitted disease (STD).  Other STDs that can increase one’s risk of acquiring HIV include herpes, syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia. Testing is the first step. Take the test and take charge of your health.

"Confidential and free HIV testing is available in Greenwich at the Department of Health every Tuesday and Thursday from 2 to 5 p.m. on the third floor of Town Hall, 101 Field Point Rd. Knowing your HIV status is empowering as you can take care of yourself.  If you find out you are infected with HIV (or are “HIV positive”) you can seek medical care and treatment, which helps people with HIV live longer and healthier lives. Knowing your status also lowers the chances of passing HIV to others.  

"For more information, call the Office of Special Clinical Services at the Greenwich Department of Health 203-622-6460 or 203-987-1003, or go to the Town’s website: www.greenwichct.org, click on Department of Health and Office of Special Clinical Services."