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Health Dept. to Offer Free, Confidential HIV Testing

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In recognition of National HIV Testing Day, the Greenwich Department of Health encourages residents to get tested for HIV. The Department’s Division of Special Clinical Services will be offering free, confidential HIV testing all day on Wednesday, June 27 from 1 to 4 p.m., no appointment necessary. Additional times are available by appointment. The office is located on the 3rd floor of Town Hall.

This year’s theme is: “Doing it My Way, Testing for HIV.” Each year, the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) observes this day to raise awareness about the importance of HIV testing and early diagnosis. People who find out they are infected with HIV can seek medical care and get prompt treatment, which helps people with HIV live longer, healthier lives. Knowing your status can also reduce the risks of infecting others with HIV.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 1.1 million people in the U.S. are living with HIV, and that number grew by almost 40,000 last year. Overall, 1 in 99 Americans will be diagnosed with HIV in their lifetime. According to the State Department of Public Health, over 10,400 Connecticut residents are known to be living with HIV. New HIV infections in the U.S. could be prevented by testing and diagnosing people who have HIV and ensuring that they receive prompt, ongoing care and treatment.

The only way to know if you are infected with HIV is to get tested. The CDC recommends that everyone 13 to 64 years old be tested for HIV at least once as part of routine health care, and people with certain risk factors get tested more often. People with more than one sex partner, people with a sexually transmitted disease (STD), and people who inject drugs are likely to be at high risk and should get tested at least once a year.

For more information about testing and counseling, contact the Division of Special Clinical Services at 203- 622-6460.

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