National HIV Testing Day

Español: Día Nacional de la Prueba del VIH

June 27 is National HIV Testing Day, a day to encourage people of all ages to get tested and know their status.

These are not ordinary times, but testing is still available in communities across Texas. If you want to get an HIV test or talk to someone about HIV, please contact a local agency to find out how and where to get a test. You can also talk to your healthcare provider about getting a test.

DSHS estimates that there are about 16,000 Texans who have undiagnosed HIV infections—that means that about 16 percent of Texans with HIV don’t know their status.

HIV testing saves lives. It is the only way to know if you are living with HIV.

• If you have HIV, getting in medical care and taking medicines regularly can keep the amount of HIV in your body at very low levels. This will help you live a long healthy life and eliminate sexual transmission of HIV to others.
   
• If you don’t have HIV but you are at higher risk of acquiring it, you can start pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), daily medicine that prevents HIV infection

There are programs that make free or low cost testing, treatment, and PrEP available for those who qualify. Free, at home, HIV self-testing is also available through participating agencies.

These are not ordinary times, but testing is still available in communities across Texas. If you want to get an HIV test or talk to someone about HIV, please contact a local agency to find out how and where to get a test. You can also talk to your healthcare provider about getting a test.

Spread the word to your friends and loved ones and visit this page for updates about how to get testing and treatment for HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases.