INDIANAPOLIS — National HIV Testing Day — on June 27 — is a day to encourage people to get tested to know their health status. This year's annual observance is going with the theme "Doing It My Way."
Under this theme, officials want people to know they can get tested at clinics, using at-home tests, and by seeing your personal health care provider.
About 1.1 million people in the United States have HIV, and one in seven people with HIV in the U.S. don't know they have it. According to the Indiana State Department of Health, there were 419 new cases of HIV in Indiana reported in 2018, and approximately 6,357 people currently living with HIV.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that everyone between the ages of 13 and 64 gets tested for HIV at least once, as part of their health care routine. Those at high risk are recommended to be tested at least once a year.
HIV testing is done through a finger prick blood sample, with results ready as soon as 20 minutes after.
Indianapolis
The Damien Center will be offering free and confidential HIV and STI testing on Thursday in Indianapolis from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 26 North Arsenal Avenue.
The Indianapolis Urban League will have a mobile unit traveling for HIV Testing Pop-Up's throughout Marion County on Thursday, as well.
Step Up Inc. is also set to offer free HIV testing on Thursday at two locations. One at their office at 850 North Meridian Street from 19 a.m. to 2 p.m., and the second at Club-Indy at 620 North Capitol Avenue from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Free screenings will be offered at IU Health's LifeCare unit from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Methodist MedTower located at 1633 North Capitol Avenue.
Hendricks County
The Hendricks County Health Department will also be hosting a free HIV testing clinic on Thursday. The Public Health Nursing Division will be hosting the clinic from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. for residents 14-years-old or older.
“The most common way HIV is transmitted in Indiana is through sexual contact between an infected partner and a noninfected partner, followed by intravenous drug use,” Teresa Krupka, Infectious Disease Nurse at HCHD, said. “Babies born to HIV positive mothers are also at risk of contracting the virus.”
Boone County
The Boone County Health Department will be offering free HIV screenings in Lebanon from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 116 West Washington.
Monroe County
Testing at the LGBTQ+ Cultural Center on the Indiana University Bloomington campus from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 705 East 7th Street.
Multiple Walgreen Stores
Walgreens is participating nationally by offering confidential HIV testing, counselors and more.
Here is a list of participating Walgreens locations in Central Indiana:
- Andreson: 3736 South Scatterfield Road
- Muncie: 400 East Memorial Drive
- Lafayette: 1801 South Street
- Indianapolis: 3003 Kessler Blvd North Drive and 1530 North Meridian Street
All Walgreen testing clinics will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday.
