Free HIV testing offered in Petoskey
In recognition of National HIV Testing Day which is Friday, June 27, Planned Parenthood of West and Northern Michigan is encouraging men, women, and young people to get tested for HIV. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that all Americans ages 13-64 receive routine HIV testing, not just those considered high risk. In an effort to promote early detection and help people in the community remain healthy, Planned Parenthood of West and Northern Michigan will be offer free HIV testing from Monday, June 23, through Friday, June 27, by appointment.
Planned Parenthood has offices in both Petoskey and Traverse City.
“In the United States, more than 1.1 million people are living with HIV, and almost one in six do not know they are infected. You cannot tell by looking at someone if they have HIV — the only way to know is to get tested,” said Planned Parenthood Vice President of Medical Services, Bridget White. “National HIV Testing Day is a reminder that getting tested for HIV is an important step in both stopping the spread of HIV and taking care of ourselves.”
Getting tested for HIV is simply a basic part of taking care of your health and your body — and it’s easier than ever before:
— Getting tested for HIV is quick, simple and painless. Rapid HIV tests can provide results in as fast as 20 minutes from just a quick finger poke.
— Not all medical checkups include routine HIV testing — so unless you ask to be tested, you can’t assume you have been.
— Some conversations may seem hard to have, but open communication with your partner is essential to staying healthy and stopping the spread of HIV. You can take care of yourself and your partner by getting tested before you start having sex.
“Once you know your status, there is a lot you can do to protect your health, including practicing safer sex,” said White. “And the sooner you know your status, the sooner you can get any treatment and information you might need, depending on the results. Early treatment can help prevent serious health problems down the line.”
People can call (800) 230-PLAN (7526) and be connected to their nearest Planned Parenthood health center to make an appointment for Free HIV Testing Week, or log on to ppwnm.org for local contact numbers.