On December 1st, clinics around Wyoming will be offering free testing for HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. This is to mark World AIDS Day. Residents are encouraged by the Wyoming Department of Health to learn more about HIV and decide if a test is in order. You can visit www.knowyo.org to see risk factors and the details of testing.
Testing is private and free with a voucher (downloadable at the link above). There are 55 sites across Wyoming where testing will be available.
AIDS and HIV are a problem partly because up to a fifth of those with the virus do not know they have it. They’ve never been tested and don’t have active symptoms of the disease. This is especially true for those who assume they are not at risk. Unfortunately, a person who doesn’t do any of the usual HIV related activities may still get the disease from someone who does. This can happen when a sexual partner is using IV drugs or engaging in risky behavior while concealing it from their loved one.
According to the HIV coordinator for the Wyoming Department of Health, “The CDC tells us more than half of individuals aged 18-64 years have never been tested for the HIV virus. Of those who do test positive, one third are tested too late to reap full benefits of treatment that can help prevent or delay the development of AIDS and potential premature death.”
With free testing available, why not avail yourself of it? For many, the fear is they may find out something they’d rather ignore. Doing that only helps spread the disease. Ignorance, in this case, isn’t bliss, ignorance leads to more tragedy.
The recommendation is to read the information available about risk factors and get tested at least once, more often if there are risks present.
