The Florida Department of Health in  Monroe County Observes National HIV Testing Day 2021

[Monroe County, FL]—National HIV Testing Day (NHTD) is observed each year on June 27 to encourage people to be aware of their HIV status so that they can take control of their health. This year’s NHTD theme, “My Test, My Way,” highlights that there are many options available when it comes to HIV testing. The Florida Department of Health joins community partners around the state to help provide all Floridians access to the right tools for learning their HIV status and staying healthy.

In 2019, 4,584 people were diagnosed with HIV in Florida. At the end of that year, 116,689 Floridians were confirmed to be living with HIV. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that this accounts for only 86.5% of all people living with HIV in Florida, meaning that there are many Floridians who have yet to be diagnosed. Earlier diagnosis of HIV leads to more successful treatment, so getting tested and learning your HIV status is crucial to your health.

Everyone ages 13–64 should get tested at least once, and some people should get tested more often. Knowing your HIV status is only the beginning. What you do to stay healthy after that largely depends on your results. Earlier diagnosis of HIV leads to more successful treatment, so getting tested and learning your HIV status is crucial to your health.

If you missed an opportunity to get tested for HIV during the COVID-19 pandemic, NHTD offers a good reminder to get caught up. HIV shares many symptoms with other viral infections, like COVID-19, so if you have felt ill at any point during the last year, it is important to talk to your health care provider.

Knowing your status is the first step toward effective HIV prevention. People can reduce their risk for HIV by using appropriate prevention strategies, such as taking pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), using condoms and/or getting tested regularly. Contact a health care provider to find out if PrEP is recommended for you. Also, people living with HIV who take antiretroviral medication as prescribed and have an undetectable viral load cannot transmit HIV to their sexual partners.

Observe NHTD with us!

The Florida Department of Health in Monroe County will be sponsoring the following events:

Date: 06/25/2021 to 07/15/2021

Event Activities: HIV rapid testing contest to honor NHTD

Test your way any day at any of these testing sites in Monroe County:

Site Name: Address:   Phone:
AH of Monroe County, Inc. 1434 Kennedy Drive Key West 305-296-6196
Community Health of S. FL, Inc. 2805 O/S Hwy Marathon 305-743-8471
Community Health of S. FL, Inc. 91200 O/S Hwy, Unit 17 Tavernier 305-743-0383
Guidance/Care Center, Inc. 1205 Fourth Street Key West 305-922-6191
Guidance/Care Center, Inc. 3000 41st Street Ocean Marathon 305-879-2723
Guidance/Care Center, Inc. 99198 O/S Hwy, Suite 5 Key Largo 305-879-2723
ID Consults and Services, PA 3142 Northside Dr. #101 Key West 305-615-3300
Midway Specialty Care Center 1434 Kennedy Dr #1 Key West 305-395-7677
Monroe County Health Department 1100 Simonton St. Key West 305-293-7500
Monroe County Health Department 3333 Overseas Highway Marathon 305-293-7500
Monroe County Health Department 50 Highpoint Road Tavernier 305-676-3938
Rural Health Network Monroe County 3706 N Roosevelt Blvd. Ste G Key West 305-517-6613
Womankind, Inc. 1511 Truman Avenue Key West 305-294-4004

 

Or order an In-Home Test Kit on the Monroe County DOH website: TestFLKeys.org

Protect yourself. Get tested. Know your status. Learn what’s next.

We have the power to both prevent and treat HIV. For more information, call 305-676-3938 or 1-800-FLA-AIDS or visit TestFLKeys.org.

About the Florida Department of Health

The Florida Department of Health, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @HealthyFla. For more information about the Florida Department of Health please visit FloridaHealth.gov.

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