Don't Become a Statistic: Get Tested on World AIDS Day

SANTA BARBARA, Calif., Dec. 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Today is World AIDS Day.  Globally, an estimated 33.3 million people are infected with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)—the virus that causes AIDS, also known as Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. Join millions of people around the world getting tested at an STD clinic across the US today.

Over the past few years, the growth of the epidemic has stabilized, the number of new HIV infections has declined due to an increase in people receiving antiretroviral therapy and the number of AIDS-related deaths has decreased.  But that doesn't negate the fact that globally, more than 30 million people have died from AIDS-related causes.

The vast majority of people infected with the virus—approximately 22.5 million—live in Sub-Saharan Africa.  South and South-East Asia account for approximately 4.1 million cases, while North America, Central and South America, and Eastern Europe and Central Asia account for 1.5 million, 1.4 million and 1.4 million respectively.

HIV infections can occur during sex, during blood transfusions, while sharing needles and can be passed from mother to child.

Don't become a statistic.  Make sure you and your loved ones get tested for HIV/AIDS and other more common STDs.  While HIV/AIDS is incurable, catching it early and taking the appropriate medications can help control the virus.  To find an STD clinic near you, visit FindTheBest's STD Clinics comparison.

SOURCE FindTheBest