SCDHEC Encourages Citizens To Get Tested For HIV And STD’s On National HIV Testing Day

(Seneca, SC)—-National HIV Testing Day is today and the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control is encouraging South Carolinians to get tested for HIV and other Sexually Transmitted Diseases. 

As of New Year’s Eve 2017, there are nearly 200,000 South Carolina residents living with diagnosed HIV infection, which includes AIDS. 

Between 2016 and 2017, over 1,500 people were newly diagnosed with HIV in South Carolina. Of those newly diagnosed, 66% were African-American, 22% were white and 8% were Hispanic. 

The Centers for Disease Control recommends that everyone between the ages of 13 and 64 get tested for HIV at least once as part of routine health care and today, there are participating health departments that are offering free HIV/STD testing. For more information, call 1-855-472-3432.