The risk is in not knowing

June 26 was National HIV Testing Day, a day to encourage people of all ages to get tested for HIV and know their status. Many people don't know that they are living with HIV until it's too late. There are many reasons why people don't get tested. Some feel it is not important, like an eye exam, annual physical or a trip to the dentist. Many say they are in a committed relationship, so there is no need. However, testing is of extreme importance to one's health.

Regardless of where a person stands, he should make the effort to get tested. The Centers for Disease Control recommends that everyone between the ages of 13 and 64 get tested for HIV at least once as part of routine health care. HIV can affect anyone regardless of sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, gender or age. It is important to take the step to get tested because if a person does have HIV, getting medical care and taking medicines regularly helps one live a longer and healthier life. Knowing also lowers the chances of passing HIV on to others. Risk factors for HIV infection include having unprotected sex with someone who is HIV-positive or whose HIV status is unknown, having sex with more than one partner and injecting drugs and sharing needles, syringes or other drug equipment.

If a person is sexually active, getting tested for HIV is one of the most important things he can do to protect his health. Also, a person should have an open and honest conversation about sexual history with a doctor. When testing for HIV, it is important to understand the latency period, which is when a person can test negative but can still have HIV. CDC recommends that people take their first HIV test followed by another test within 90 days to confirm. Before having sex, talk with your partner and get tested together.