National HIV Testing Day

Saturday, June 27th is National HIV Testing Day. Since 1995, this special day has been set aside to encourage HIV testing. It is recommended everyone between the age 13 and 64 test; however, those at a higher risk should test more often. Testing is the first step to a healthy life and prevents the spread of HIV. This years’ theme is “KNOWING”. Knowing your risks; knowing your testing options; knowing your prevention options; knowing your treatment options; knowing together, we can end the HIV epidemic; and KNOWING your HIV status is important to live healthy and to prevent transmission, to prevent re-infection, and to start same-day therapy if necessary. 1.2 million people live with HIV in the United States; about 40% (1 in 7 people) are unaware they have HIV. There are approximately 36,400 diagnoses of HIV each year in the United States and, despite all the tools such as PrEP, PEP, and prevention materials (condoms), there’s an estimated 400,000 people in the next ten years who will contract HIV, even though tools of prevention are available. KNOWING your status is PREVENTION! GO CARE Community Health Center (GCCHC) 1801 North 7th Street, West Monroe, LA 71291. Testing appointments can be made for Monday thru Thursday from 8:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. & Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. offers no-cost HIV testing by appointments only due to the COVID-19 pandemic call us for an appointment at (318) 325-1092, extension 0,. You will receive your HIV test results in only 20 minutes. Within 30 days of an exposure, our test can detect HIV with 99.9% accuracy.