On Tuesday, June 27th, the USVI Department of Health (DOH) will be hosting free HIV testing sites, in recognition of National HIV Testing Day. The DOH encourages everyone to go to one of the convenient locations and find out your HIV status. Getting tested for HIV is important to your health, your relationships, your life and your future. 

UNITED STATES VIRGIN ISLANDS
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

_________________________________________________________

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 12, 2017

DOH to Host HIV Testing Sites on HIV Testing Day, Tuesday, June 27th

On Tuesday, June 27th, the USVI Department of Health (DOH) will be hosting free HIV testing sites, in recognition of National HIV Testing Day. The DOH encourages everyone to go to one of the convenient locations and find out your HIV status. Getting tested for HIV is important to your health, your relationships, your life and your future. 

If you have never been tested for HIV, you should be tested at least once. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a person being tested at least once a year if they are engaged in activities that may increase their risk of being infected with HIV. HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is the virus that causes AIDS. The only way to know if you have HIV is to get tested. Many people with HIV do not exhibit any symptoms. Studies have shown, one (1) in eight (8) people living with HIV are not aware that they have it. Even if you don’t feel sick, getting early detection/treatment for HIV is important; early treatment can assist in an infected person living a longer and healthier life. In addition to being aware of your status, treatment can also make it less likely that an infected person will pass HIV on to other people.

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

• 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 (this is very rare in the USVI)

For More Information: Visit or call the USVI Department of Health’s local offices:

• St. Croix – Charles Harwood Complex, 3500 Estate Richmond (340) 718-1311 ext. 3661 
• St. Thomas/St. John – John S. Morehead Complex – Old Municipal Hospital (340) 774 -9000 ext.4661

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