Minimizing HIV Problem: Why You Should Get Free HIV Testing?

There are millions and millions of people around the globe that’s infected with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). In the United States alone, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) points out that an estimate of 1.2 million people were diagnosed with HIV/AIDS in the year 2003. This population continuously increases every year at a disturbing rate.

In the year 2006, the CDC also reported that 56,300 new cases of HIV infection were reported in the U.S. With these rates and the adverse effects associated with the infection, it is undeniable that HIV is one of the most alarming health problems in the country. In order to stop the spread of the infection and promote the early management of the disease, government agencies and various advocacy groups are providing free HIV testing.

Present practices and programs

In the quest to stop the spread of HIV, information campaigns on sex education and HIV awareness are not the only techniques that advocacy groups make use of. Instead, many lawmakers, health care providers and experts, insurance executives, and public health officials are promoting the use of free HIV testing as one of the most useful measures to control the incidence of the infection. According to experts, making sure that every individual gets a chance to determine their HIV status is a very important factor that is vital for controlling the spread of the virus.

As of now, statistics show that there are about 16 to 22 million people who are tested for HIV in the United States. In fact, almost 44% of all the adults in the country have undergone HIV testing in the year 2002. However, despite the increase in the number of people who have subjected themselves to free HIV testing, the CDC still reported that there were about 300,000 people who were unaware that they were infected with the HIV virus in the year 2003.

Why get an HIV test?

HIV infected people who are not aware of their condition will not be able to grab the various opportunities that can potentially keep them healthy and extend their lives – such as free vaccines, therapies, medications, and the like. If one is unaware of his actual condition, he will not be able to protect himself from potential dangers nor will he be able to engage in various activities that can somehow improve his health. In addition to that, he will not be able to protect his partner and loved ones from becoming infected.

Even recent cohort studies have showed that free HIV testing is definitely important. Reports showed that infected people who are aware of their HIV status decrease their risky behaviors that can potentially transmit the infection to their partners. In contrast, those who are unaware of their positive HIV status might even increase their risk for spreading the virus to their partners. GP