Article
Take Action Against HIV/AIDS: Get Tested
We’ve made great strides in the fight to eliminate HIV and AIDS, but we still have a long way to go. Awareness is especially important because, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), about 1.2 million people in the United States have HIV (about 25 percent are women), including about 158,500 people who are unaware of their status.
With National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day in March, we wanted to share the latest screening recommendations and prevention strategies, so you can take action against HIV/AIDS.
Testing is Key
People who are infected with HIV but don’t know it can unwittingly spread it. In fact, the CDC reports nearly 40 percent of new infections are transmitted by people who don’t know they have the virus. The CDC recommends that everyone between the ages of 13 and 64 gets tested for HIV at least once, so if you’ve never had the test, talk to your health care provider.
The frequency of further testing depends on your risk factors, which include things like sexual partners, drug use or other illnesses you have or have been treated for. This is something you can discuss with your health care provider. If you are at increased risk of infection, testing at least annually may be recommended. HIV tests are covered by health insurance without a co-pay.
Prevention Strategies
The two primary ways of contracting HIV are through sexual contact and sharing needles, so the best way to prevent infection is by avoiding both.
If you are sexually active, you can reduce your risk of infection by:
· Using condoms properly every time you have vaginal or anal sex
· Using water or silicone-based lubricants, which help prevent condoms from breaking or slipping
· Being monogamous with a partner who has also tested negative for the virus
· Taking PrEP, a medicine for people at risk for HIV
· Getting tested and treated for other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), as they can increase your risk of contracting HIV
Your Partners in Care
Talking about your risk factors for STDs with your women’s health provider should be a part of your routine annual appointment. We can answer your questions, develop a personal screening schedule and determine the prevention strategies that will work best for you. Call us for an appointment.
Related posts
Looking for more women's health insights?
We’ve all heard some of the many “tricks” to help women get pregnant. But what really works?Both female and male fertility is affected by a wide range of factors, including medical history, current health, age, family history, medications and environmental factors. Some women become pregnant as soon as they start trying, while others take longer or experience difficulties.Here are a few things that may help:
Whether you are pregnant with your first child or have given birth before, every delivery is different—and women have diverse preferences when it comes to how they would like the experience to go. When you begin your third trimester, putting together a birth plan can help you think about your birthing options and communicate your wishes to your care team. Plus, making some decisions in advance may help you feel more prepared and less stressed when the big day comes.
May 15 is National Women’s Checkup Day, which serves as an important reminder for women who are often taking care of children, parents and/or partners, that they also need to make time to care for themselves. Annual checkups can play a significant role in your overall health, especially because health care has become more personalized over the past few years.