Spring Hill- The Florida Department of Health in Hernando County encourages residents to know their status by taking a no-cost HIV test June 27, 2020. This day is recognized throughout the country as National HIV Testing Day (NHTD.)

The 2020 NHTD theme is about the power of “Knowing”— knowing your HIV status, knowing your risk, knowing your prevention options, and knowing your treatment options. According to the CDC, this theme highlights the many ways to stay in-the-know about HIV testing and expands beyond testing to include broader awareness of the many options related to HIV prevention, testing, and treatment. This year also focuses on self-testing as an option when facility-based services and in-person patient-clinician contact is limited.

“Having the tools and resources to make informed decisions is key,” Danielle Taylor, Director of Nursing for the Florida Department of Health in Hernando County shares. “There is also an emphasis on young people having the resources they need to make decisions for what is going on with and in their bodies.  This can be through sexual education and proactive strategies, as well as routine family planning services here at the health department. Being tested allows our skilled medical staff the ability to provide one-on-one resources for residents and  interventions to end this epidemic for the next generation.”

First observed in 1995, NHTD an annual occasion to encourage people to get an HIV test. CDC recommends that everyone between the ages of 13 and 64 get tested for HIV at least once as part of routine health care. People at higher risk should get tested more often. Testing, treatment and prevention options are currently available at the Florida Department of Health in Hernando County. Call 352-540-6800 to schedule your appointment today.

To learn about testing or to get an at-home kit, visit KnowYourHIVStatus.com.

About the Florida Department of Health

The department works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts. Follow us on Twitter at @HealthyFla and on Facebook. For more information about the Florida Department of Health please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov.