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Free HIV testing Monday

| June 25, 2022 1:05 AM

National HIV Testing Day is Monday.

Panhandle Health District has partnered with Walgreens, Greater than AIDs and the Panhandle Health District Medical Reserve Corps to offer free HIV testing.

The HIV testing day will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Walgreens, 260 W. Honeysuckle Ave., Hayden.

HIV testing is recommended as part of routine health care, along with testing for other sexually transmitted infections. There are more options than ever to get tested.

“HIV Testing Day is free, confidential, fast and open to anyone,” said Jenna Dowell, Panhandle's clinical services division administrator. "There was a decline in routine health screenings throughout the pandemic, so it is vital that we take a more proactive approach to our health and schedule our screenings.”

For those who are sexually active, getting tested for sexually transmitted infections is one of the most important things they can do for their health. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends everyone between the ages of 13 and 64 be tested for HIV at least once in their life. Additional testing may be recommended based on specific behaviors that can increase a person’s risk.

In 2021, 654 reports of sexually transmitted infections were reported within Panhandle’s jurisdiction of Kootenai, Bonner, Benewah, Boundary and Shoshone counties, with preliminary data showing just more than 270 sexually transmitted infections in those five counties in 2022. While chlamydia and gonorrhea infections are seen most often from ages 15 to 29, early syphilis and HIV infections affect a wider age range in Idaho. North Idaho is seeing a rise in syphilis and gonorrhea cases, among a broad age group, which highlights the fact that sexually transmitted infections can infect anyone.

“Advances in prevention and treatment in the U.S. are bringing us closer to ending HIV,” Dowell said. “But testing is the only way to know if you have HIV or any other STIs. Too many people are unaware they have an STI and that increases the likelihood that it will be passed onto someone else.”

Most sexually transmitted infections are treatable or effective medication exists to enable people to live long, healthy lives while managing the infection. The CDC estimates more than 90% of all new HIV infections could be prevented by proper testing and connecting HIV positive persons to care.

Panhandle will have a booth set at the Walgreens entrance. No appointment needed. Walk-ins are welcome.