By Tara Ford, PA-C on December 4, 2012
Since 1987, December 1 is recognized globally as World AIDS Day, and December is AIDS Awareness Month in the United States. The purpose is to raise awareness of the HIV/AIDS pandemic and prevention.
According to the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
Getting an HIV test can lead to getting the medical care needed to stay healthy longer. It is recommended that HIV screening become part of annual routine lab work for adolescents, adults, and pregnant women. Once you know your status it’s important to also know the status of your sex partner. Unless you are in a secure monogamous relationship and both of you have tested negative for HIV, condoms should be used for every sex act. HIV does not discriminate; you are never too young or too old to be at risk for HIV if you engage in risky behaviors (unprotected sex with someone who doesn’t know their HIV status). Prevention is the key to stopping this pandemic; I highly recommend HIV screening as part of your routine medical care.
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Tara Ford is a certified Physician Assistant, and has worked in adolescent medicine, psychiatry, orthopedic surgery and with infectious disease experts at Albert Einstein College of Medicine conducting gynecological research for the prevention of HIV in women. She has written and lectured extensively on HIV, STDs, and other sexual health issues to students from elementary school through college and medical school.