Around the world, about 37 million people are living with HIV. In the United States, about 38,500 people get infected with HIV every year. World AIDS Day is a global initiative to raise awareness, fight prejudice, and improve education about HIV and AIDS.
In the United States, about 1 in 7 people who have HIV don’t know it. The only way to know for sure whether or not you have HIV is to get tested. You could have HIV and still feel healthy. Everyone ages 15 to 65 needs to get tested at least once, according to the CDC. Some people may need to get tested more often.
HIV is passed from one person to another by:
- Having unprotected sex with a person who has HIV
- Sharing needles with someone who has HIV
- Breastfeeding, pregnancy, or childbirth if the mother has HIV
- Getting a transfusion of blood that’s infected with HIV (very rare in the United States)
To learn more about HIV/AIDS and how to prevent this disease, visit:
To find a free, fast, and confidential HIV testing location near you, your ZIP code to KNOWIT (566948) or use the online locator at GetTested.
Contact the CDC’s national health information hotline or your state’s HIV/AIDS hotline for answers to your questions regarding HIV, how to protect yourself, and where to get an HIV test:
CDC
1-800-CDC-INFO (232-4636)
TTY: 1-888-232-6348
In English, en Español, 8 am to 8 pm ET, Monday through Friday
www.cdc.gov/cdc-info
Maryland HIV/AIDS Hotline
National: (800) 232-4636
TTY: (800) 232-6348
Pennsylvania HIV/AIDS Hotline
In Pennsylvania: (800) 662-6080
Health Department: (717) 783-0572
Virginia STD/HIV/AIDS Hotline
In Virginia: (800) 533-4148
West Virginia HIV/AIDS Hotline
In West Virginia: (800) 642-8244
Source: CDC.gov