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In recognition of National HIV
Testing Day on June 27, the Pasco World AIDS Day Committee, Inc., will
collaborate with the Florida Departments of Health in Pasco and Hernando
counties to offer free syphilis, HIV, and hepatitis A, B, and C testing. The
Mobile Medical Van will provide testing in the Advanced Auto Parts parking lot
at 15826 County Line Road in Spring Hill. No registration is required. The
health departments will offer free giveaways, food, and resource information.
Those tested will be eligible to win a free tire rotation and oil change. The
health departments will fund the incentives.
Nearly 1.2 million HIV-positive
people live in the United States, and nearly one in five do not know they are
infected. Almost 50 percent of persons with hepatitis A and hepatitis B report
having no risk factors for the disease. Among persons with chronic hepatitis B
infection, the risk for premature death from hepatocellular carcinoma or
cirrhosis is 15 to 25 percent. Similarly, most hepatitis C-infected persons are
unaware of their infection, because they are not clinically ill. Those who are
newly-infected with hepatitis C usually either have a mild clinical illness or
are asymptomatic. Hepatitis C is the most common chronic blood-borne infection
in the United States, with an estimated 3.2 million persons chronically
infected. Chronic hepatitis C infection takes place in 70–85 percent of
hepatitis C-infected persons, and 60–70 percent of chronically infected persons
develop evidence of liver disease, according to CDC.
The safest way to avoid STD
transmission is to abstain from sexual contact or to be in a long-term mutually
monogamous relationship with a partner who has been tested and is known to be
uninfected. For more information, call (727) 861–5250, extension 177.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is
dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and
empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV
virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
