Media Release

FOR: Embargoed until Sunday, June 26, 2005
DATE: June 23, 2005
CONTACT: Paul Loberti, Chief, Office of HIV/AIDS 401-222-2320

RI Department of Health Promotes HIV Testing
Statewide Media Campaign Celebrates National HIV Testing Day on June 27, 2005

June 27, 2005 is National HIV Testing Day, an annual event to encourage people across the country to consider getting an HIV test. As part of this awareness day, the Rhode Island Department of Health has launched an HIV testing campaign including billboards, bus stop shelter boards and radio spots. The Are You Wondering? campaign is aimed at a variety of populations including youth, women, and men who have sex with men.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that nationally between 850,000 and 900,000 Americans are infected with HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus). An estimated 180,000 to 280,000 Americans do not know they are infected, and could spread the disease to others. In Rhode Island, approximately one-third of the people living with HIV may not know that they have the virus.

HIV counseling, testing, and referral sites are available statewide for people seeking a test--anonymously and in confidence. These sites can help people learn about their risk for HIV, get tested for HIV, and learn how to avoid infection or infecting others. Referrals to additional prevention programs, medical care or other services are also available from the HIV testing counselor.

Persons who are sexually active with multiple partners or have ever shared syringes or drug-injecting materials (such as cotton, water, “works”) should have an HIV test. In addition, anyone being treated for a sexually transmitted disease needs to be tested. Pregnant women with any of these risk factors should also be tested to avoid passing the virus on to their babies. Go to www.hivinfori.org or call the HIV hotline at 1-800-726-3010 to find a testing site near you.

HIV is the virus that causes AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome), a serious condition that weakens your body’s ability to fight off disease. It can take years for AIDS to develop in an HIV infected person, but an HIV infected person can pass the virus on to others right away.

The RI Department of Health website www.hivinfori.org provides more information about HIV and AIDS and about the RI HIV Testing Day on June 27. So, wonder no more! Know your status! Get tested!