National HIV Testing Day is June 27
This June, the Charles B. Wang Community Health Center (CBWCHC) is highlighting National HIV Testing Day and encouraging everyone in our community to know their HIV status.
What is HIV?
HIV, or Human Immunodeficiency Virus, is a virus that can lead to AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome). It attacks the body’s immune system, making it hard to fight off infections and illnesses. HIV can be transmitted through unprotected sex, sharing needles, and from mother to child during childbirth or breastfeeding. While there is no cure for HIV, it can be treated. Knowing your status is crucial to protect your health and the health of your loved ones.
HIV testing is
- Voluntary
- Confidential
- Fast
- Lifesaving
In New York State, everyone aged 13 or older must be offered an HIV test. During the testing process, you’ll receive important information about HIV, as required by law.
“HIV testing is crucial for knowing your status,” said Dr. Catherine Lee, an Internal Medicine provider at CBWCHC. “It allows you to make decisions about prevention and about effective treatment to protect yourself, your family, and your partners.”
Understanding HIV Test Results
- Negative: This means you do not have HIV. We can give you your results directly in the office, deliver them in the mail, or send them to you through CBWCHC’s online Patient Portal.
- Inconclusive: This means the test did not produce a clear result. We will help you get retested.
- Positive: A positive result almost always means the person who was tested has HIV. Our health care providers explain the next steps and help schedule follow-up care. They are also required to report the diagnosis and the names of any known needle-sharing or sexual partners to the New York State Department of Health.
Our Commitment
At the Charles B. Wang Community Health Center, we are dedicated to fostering a community based on compassion, respect, and prioritizing health. We aim to make HIV testing accessible and reduce social stigma. For more information about our services, please visit our website at www.cbwchc.org.
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The Charles B. Wang Community Health Center is a nonprofit and federally qualified health center offering comprehensive primary care services to all in five convenient locations in Manhattan and Queens seven days a week. We accept most major health insurance plans and serve everyone regardless of their ability to pay, the language they speak, or their immigration history. For more information, please visit www.cbwchc.org.
