“Take the Test. Take Control”
June 27 is National HIV Testing Day, a day to promote HIV testing and prevention. Bismarck-Burleigh Public Health is providing HIV tests, at no cost, on July 1 from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm. Results are available in twenty minutes. Please call (701) 355-1540 to make an appointment. Knowing your HIV status gives you the power to stay healthy and protect the ones you love. CDC recommends that health care providers test everyone between the ages of 13 and 64 at least once as part of routine health care. One in seven people in the United States who have HIV do not know they are infected.
Behaviors that put you at risk for HIV include having sex without a condom; having sex without being on medicines that prevent or treat HIV, or sharing injection drug equipment with someone who has HIV. If you answer yes to any of the following questions, you should definitely get an HIV test.
• Have you had sex with someone who is HIV-positive or whose status you didn’t know since your last HIV test?
• Have you injected drugs (including steroids, hormones, or silicone) and shared equipment (such as needles and syringes) with others?
• Have you exchanged sex for drugs or money?
• Have you been diagnosed with or sought treatment for a sexually transmitted disease, like syphilis?
• Have you been diagnosed with or sought treatment for hepatitis or tuberculosis (TB)?
• Have you had sex with someone who could answer yes to any of the above questions or someone whose history you don’t know?
If you continue having unsafe sex or sharing injection drug equipment, you should get tested at least once a year. Sexually active gay and bisexual men may benefit from more frequent testing (e.g., every 3 to 6 months).
Bismarck-Burleigh Public Health employs public health professionals who work to protect the health of the population. We serve all residents of Bismarck and Burleigh County. The work we do in public health affects lives every day. HIV testing is available twice weekly by appointment and is based on risk factors. Call 701-355-1540 for additional information or to schedule an appointment.