Department of Health Encourages Pennsylvanians to Get HIV Tests

Dec. 1 is World AIDS Day; Testing can be Quick, Easy  

HARRISBURG, Pa., Nov. 30, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- To recognize World AIDS Day, the Department of Health reminds Pennsylvanians of the importance of being tested for HIV.

Health officials recommend Pennsylvanians between the ages of 13 and 64 who are or have been sexually active be tested for HIV. Advances in testing have made the process easier, more accessible and less invasive. Some tests can be done with a painless mouth swab and provide quick results.

"One of the best ways to contain the transmission of HIV and AIDS is to ensure we all do our part in getting tested for this life-threatening disease," said acting Health Secretary Michael Huff. "In particular, individuals who are at higher risk for contracting HIV should be tested on an annual basis. These individuals include injection-drug users and their sex partners, persons who exchange sex for money or drugs, sex partners of HIV-infected persons and men who have sex with men."

HIV, human immunodeficiency virus, attacks the immune system and may be passed from person to person through the blood and some bodily fluids. In addition, infected pregnant women can pass HIV to their babies during pregnancy or delivery, and through breast-feeding. AIDS develops when the body's immune system is so badly damaged by the HIV virus that it is left vulnerable to infection and certain types of cancers.

Since HIV was first identified in 1984, medications to treat the disease have improved and allow persons living with HIV/AIDS to live longer, healthier lives.

World AIDS Day was established in 1988 by the World Health Organization and is observed each year to increase awareness of the global AIDS epidemic. In the United States, more than one million people are living with HIV and as many as one in five of them are unaware of their HIV infection. In Pennsylvania, 1,960 new HIV/AIDS cases were diagnosed and reported during 2009.

The Department of Health coordinates statewide HIV/AIDS prevention and care programs, and administers activities through contracts with county and municipal health departments and other agencies. Through these free programs, confidential HIV testing and counseling services are offered at locations across Pennsylvania. Some locations offer rapid HIV tests that can provide results in less than 30 minutes.

For more information, including the location of testing and counseling sites, call 1-877-PA HEALTH or visit www.health.state.pa.us.

Media contact: Holli Senior, 717-787-1783

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Health

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