THE BENEFITS OF FREE HIV AND STD TESTING

It is estimated that about 1.1 million people in the United States are living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infections, and about 56,300 new infections are reported every year. Shockingly, around 21 of those living with the health condition (which is about 231,000 people) do not even know that they are infected with HIV.

Early detection is very important in the case of HIV as it helps to decrease patient mortality and morbidity rates, as well as prevents the spread of the disease. Free clinic HIV testing programs not only help to save the lives of numerous infected people, but also prevent others from being infected by the disease.

Complete Care Community Health Center recommends routine HIV screening and provides free HIV and STD testing for patients from all heath care settings. Below are some of the main benefits of free HIV and STD testing.

Benefits of HIV and STD Testing

Health care experts in Complete Care Community Health Center say that it is important to get tested for HIV and many other sexually transmitted diseases regularly. Making HIV and STD testing a part of the routine health checkup is especially important if you are a sexually active person. Free HIV and STD testing offered by our clinic will help you know if you are infected with HIV or any other sexually transmitted diseases.

Detecting sexually transmitted infections (STIs) at an early stage is very important, as many STIs can be cured with antibiotics before it turns into a disease. The other benefits of free HIV and STD testing are explained below.

• HIV and STD testing can offer you peace of mind, as it is the only way to confirm if you have an STI that could develop into a serious disease.
• Modern medicines are available for the treatment of HIV; however, they can be more effective the sooner you start the medication. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is the treatment for HIV that can help prolong the lives of people living with HIV. In addition, the treatment can also help lower their chances of infecting others.
• STIs when untreated can lead to infertility in men and women.
• Untreated human papilloma virus infection (HPV) can result in genital warts and cancers.
• It is important to get tested for STIs and HIV if you are pregnant. If you are STD or HIV positive, there are many medications that can help prevent your baby from getting infected by the disease.
• If you test positive for HIV or STD, you can help your partner get free HIV and STD testing from our community health care centers. If your partner also tests positive, the sooner they get treatment for the infection, the healthier they will be.