National HIV Testing Day lands on June 27 every year, and awareness is key because 1 in 5 who are infected, don't even know it.
More than 800 people are currently living with HIV and AIDS in Washoe County. "And just last year in 2011, we had 47 new infections."
That number may not sound big.
But since many don't even know they are infected -- it can grow significantly. That's why Northern Nevada HOPES offers free testing year round.
John Saderlund says even though it's free -- he still hears excuses every day. "Some of the excuses, 'I'm married.' Which is a pretty good excuse but like I said, we don't always know what our partners are doing."
Saderlund says testing takes less than 15 minutes. Testing was not this easy 30 years ago--when Saderlund learned he was HIV positive. "One of the reasons I work here is so I can kind of share my story, try to make it a little bit easier on people who are finding out for the first time."
The same goes for Robert Ashley.
He's had HIV since 1989--and knows first-hand how important it is to get tested. "There were seven of us that got diagnosed at the same time. There's two left."
And he says knowing 1 in 5 people don't even know they're infected across the country--is a pretty scary thought. "Because they can be, by not knowing, can be infecting other, their spouses, their wives."
The longer you wait--the more damage the virus does to your body. And unlike 30 years ago--it's much more treatable if you catch it early. "There's more counseling, there's more testing, there's more medications."
Northern Nevada HOPES stresses that everyone needs to get tested at least once a year.
In Reno, tests are offered at Northern Nevada HOPES at 580 West 5th Street, Suite 12C and along the 4th Street corridor.
Residents can also get tested at the Carson City Health and Human Services building.
You can also go to hivtest.cdc.gov/press_files/
Written by Adam Rasmussen
