The Cabell-Huntington Health Department will be hosting an HIV Testing Day on Thursday, June 27th to mark National HIV Testing Day. Free testing will be available from 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM at the health department located on 703 Seventh Avenue in Huntington, WV. This year’s theme is “Level Up Your Self-Love: Check Your Status,” emphasizing the importance of knowing one’s HIV status and getting linked to care and treatment if necessary.
Testing for HIV is crucial in engaging individuals in care to maintain their health, regardless of the results. Those who test negative can benefit from HIV prevention tools such as PrEP, condoms, vaccines, and testing for sexually transmitted infections. On the other hand, individuals who test positive can promptly start antiretroviral therapy to manage their HIV.
Michelle Perdue, the Harm Reduction Coordinator at Cabell-Huntington Health Department, highlights the importance of HIV testing in line with the National HIV/AIDS Strategy and the Ending the HIV Epidemic in the U.S. Initiative to reach all individuals who could benefit from HIV prevention and care. With advancements in HIV medication, people living with HIV can be quickly connected to care, leading to undetectable levels and making them untransmittable.
HIV self-testing options like Together Take Me Home offer free testing for individuals who may not have easy access to in-person testing services, reducing stigma for those hesitant to get tested. For those interested in testing at home privately, a link is provided on the Together Take Me Home website. For any inquiries or concerns regarding this event or services offered by Cabell-Huntington Health Department, contact (304) 523-6483.
