HIV Testing is Self-Care

June 27, 2022, marks National HIV Testing Day, and this year’s theme is “HIV Testing is Self-Care.” If you think that self-care is all essential oils and face masks, think again! Self-care is anything you need to do to take care of your body and mind—whatever that looks like for you. That includes taking care of your sexual health. HIV testing is self-care because knowing your status gives you powerful information to help stay healthy. 
 
Out of the 1.2 million people in the US living with HIV, around 158,000 people don’t know they have the virus. Cisgender women represent more than half of new HIV cases worldwide. Moreover, almost 40% of new infections are transmitted by people who are unaware that they have HIV. For folks who haven’t been undiagnosed yet, testing is the first step in maintaining a healthy life and preventing HIV transmission. The CDC recommends that everyone age 13-64 get tested for HIV at least once. Some groups, including people with more than one sex partner, should be tested at least once a year. Sexually active gay and bisexual men may benefit from even more frequent testing, every 3 to 6 months.

Knowing your HIV status also gives you the power to take control of your health. And the only way to know your status is to get tested! Thankfully, there are more HIV testing options than ever before, making it even easier to know your status and stay healthy. Whether you choose to self-test in your own space or find a testing site nearby, you have the power to take charge of our health in a way that works for you. Plus, HIV testing can be free, easy, fast, and private.

This National HIV Testing Day, empower yourself to chase your dreams and pursue your best life on your own terms—get tested, know your status, and encourage those you love most to do the same! You can also join the conversation on social media with #HIVTestingDay and #StopHIVTogether.