On June 27^th, 2017, Whittier Street Health Center will join the rest of the world in observing the National HIV Testing Day. To mark this occasion, Whittier will be inviting the members of the community and hosting a HIV awareness event in our Community Education Room. The event will feature a speaker, HIV testing, free food, and gift items.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about one in seven people in the United States who are infected with HIV don’t know they have it. Whittier Street Health Center provides the opportunity for members of the public to know their HIV status by providing free HIV testing and comprehensive treatment services for those infected with HIV. CDC recommends that everyone between the ages of 13 and 64 get tested for HIV at least once as part of routine health care.

Today, in honor of National HIV Testing Day, Whittier Street Health Center encourages you to get tested for HIV. HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is the virus that causes AIDS.

Even if you don’t feel sick, getting early treatment for HIV is important. Early treatment can help you live a longer, healthier life. Treatment can also make it less likely that you will pass HIV on to other people.

Am I at risk for HIV?

HIV is spread through some of the body’s fluids, like blood, semen, vaginal fluids, and breast milk. HIV is passed from one person to another by:

• Having sex (vaginal, anal, or oral) without a condom or dental dam with a person who has HIV
• Sharing needles with someone who has HIV
• Breastfeeding, pregnancy, or childbirth if the mother has HIV
• Getting a transfusion of blood that’s infected with HIV (very rare in the United States)

Under the Affordable Care Act, the health care reform law passed in 2010, insurance plans must cover HIV testing. Talk to your insurance company to learn more.

Call our HIV confidential hotline Monday – Friday from 8:30am – 5pm for free HIV testing.

“The risk is not knowing. Get tested.”

For more information, visit Whittier Street Health Center

1290 Tremont Street, Roxbury Ma 02120, 617-427-1000. www.wshc.org