HIV [Human Immunodeficiency Virus] Testing Day is Thursday, June 27, and McLean County health officials want more people to get tested for the virus, saying a lack of "self love" keeps many from taking that step.
Those who have unprotected sex or share needles are at the highest risk for the virus. Health officials say they should get tested annually. Data from the Illinois Department of Public Health shows McLean County has averaged about 10 new positive cases per year since 2016.
Advancements in medicine have made it easier to avoid the most advanced stage of the virus, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome [AIDS]. Most Americans who have HIV never develop AIDS, and experts say this trend can continue if more people get tested.
“The barrier really is people find it very awkward to have a safe sex conversation before sexual contact, or they are unaware of the risks and potential health consequences,” said Cory Dawson, disease intervention specialist for the McLean County Health Department [MCHD].
The county health department is encouraging HIV testing through its campaign “Level Up Your Self-Love: Check Your Status.”
According to estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 1.2 million Americans are living with HIV. Of that population, about 13% are unaware due to not being tested. Dawson said low self-esteem, cost insecurity and confidentiality are some of the factors that lead to this number.
MCHD offers testing, counseling and preventative measures to combat HIV, including pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP medication. The agency offers free assistance to cover the cost of PrEP medication and required testing, regardless of income or insurance status.
“PrEP is a medication that you take before you have HIV,” said Heidi German, communicable disease coordinator for MCHD. “You take a medication, you take it every day and that will help protect you from becoming HIV-positive.”
German added the department provides a nonjudgmental place for anyone above age 12 to get medical care and testing. Parental supervision is not required for minors.
Aside from rapid HIV tests that show results in about 20 minutes, patients will have to return in-person five to seven days later to receive their results. This is because the state of Illinois eliminated over-the-phone test results to add to patient privacy.
