The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 38% to 44% of all adults in the United States have been tested for HIV and that between 16 and 22 million people aged 18-64 years are tested for HIV annually. However, of the more than one million people living with HIV in the U.S., it is estimated that about one-quarter (252,000 to 312,000 persons) are unaware of their HIV status. Because they do not know they are infected, these individuals are unable to benefit from clinical care related to their HIV disease. In addition, some of these people may unknowingly be transmitting HIV to other people. The San Francisco AIDS Foundation strongly encourages people who are at risk for HIV to be tested regularly. Whether or not to take the HIV antibody test, however, is a personal decision that only you can make for yourself. That being said, here are some things you may wish to consider: * Knowledge is power. * If you find out that you are HIV-positive (infected with HIV), you and your healthcare providers can better plan early treatment and intervention, improving your chances of slowing down the progression of HIV disease. * If you test negative, you may feel less anxious. * By knowing your status, you can find out whether or not you can infect others, and what precautions you might take to prevent transmission to other people. * Regardless of the result, testing tends to increase your commitment to overall good health habits. If you test positive, you can learn more about HIV and be proactive in taking care of your health. * If you are considering having a baby, you can take advantage of treatments that potentially prevent transmission of HIV to the baby.
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Taking the "AIDS Test" - ;GIS
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National HIV Testing Resources
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