National HIV Testing Day is an annual observance to promote HIV testing created in 1995 by the National Association of People with AIDS to spread the “Take the Test, Take Control” message across the country.
Today, it is estimated that one in seven people with HIV don’t know they have HIV. The main aim of this awareness is to encourage people in getting tested for HIV, know their status, and get into treatment right away if diagnosed with HIV.
The UN sustainable goals emphasises in getting rid of HIV & AIDS by 2030. The entire process towards attaining that goal is a tedious one, which requires much education. But it must first begin with the education of young people.
I believe it’s time to start the education revolution in our nation’s schools with Sex Education. For decades now, we’ve left our children in the dark without educating them properly as it relates to reproductive & sexual health.
I believe much heartache, depression and pain can be avoided with sex education. I’m happy there’s a day in observance called National HIV Testing Day. I view this day as another perfect opportunity in offering support to people who have HIV. Therefore we will be arming ourselves with information and knowledge that will help fight HIV and stigma associated with the disease worldwide.
This day seeks to raise awareness about the importance of HIV testing and early diagnosis of HIV. Everyone has a status, knowing is always better than not knowing because once you know your status, it gives you more power in protecting and seeking early treatment. Not knowing puts you at risk for advance stages of AIDS which usually result in death.
My question to you is what would it be knowing or not knowing? Anyone who is involved in promiscuous behaviours, my advice to you is “protect yourself and your partner” knowing your HIV status helps keep you and your partner healthy.
The only way to know for sure whether you have HIV is to get tested and that’s why I’m encouraging everyone to know their status. If you know you’re negative take the necessary steps in protecting yourself against HIV. There are many powerful tools now available in helping to prevent HIV and to help individuals with HIV to stay healthy.
We must not let our guards down neither be complacent despite pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP medication. If you are HIV-negative you’re at high risk for getting the virus that’s why PrEP is available because it helps prevent HIV but this is no excuse for one to not protect him or herself during sexual intercourse.
Let’s help prevent the spread of HIV by taking the necessary actions by getting tested and treated for STIs. Limiting the number of sex partners can help reduce the spread of HIV. Let’s practice condom use during vaginal, anal or oral sex.
If you’re HIV positive there’s still hope because being diagnosed with the disease is not a death sentence. If you have HIV start treatment as soon as possible after you get a diagnosis. The most important thing you can do is take HIV medicine as prescribed by your doctor.
HIV medicine lowers the amount of virus (viral load) in your body, and taking it every day can make your viral load undetectable. If you get and keep an undetectable viral load, you can stay healthy for many years, and you have effectively no risk of transmitting HIV through sex to an HIV-negative partner.
To make sure you keep an undetectable viral load, take your medicine as prescribed, and see your provider regularly to monitor your health.
We encourage HIV testing on National HIV Testing Day and every day to ensure people get tested for HIV, know their status, and get linked to care and treatment services.