COLUMBIA, S.C. — National HIV Testing Day is June 27, 2024, and DHEC is encouraging South Carolinians to get tested for HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) so they know their status and can protect their health and help prevent diseases from spreading to others.
The theme of this year’s National HIV Testing Day is “Level up your self-love: check your status,” which emphasizes the importance of knowing your HIV/STD status as part of a self-love and care routine.
“HIV is a manageable disease, but only if you know your status,” said Ali Mansaray, Division of STD/HIV & Viral Hepatitis. “There is available treatment that can help people with HIV live long and healthy lives. Equally important, when you know your status, you can take steps to protect others.”
As of Dec. 31, 2022, there are more than 20,000 South Carolina residents living with diagnosed HIV infection, including AIDS. Between 2021 and 2022, over 1,500 people were newly diagnosed with HIV in South Carolina, and of those newly diagnosed, 52% were African American, 25% were White and 11% were Hispanic.
Much like new HIV infections, African Americans are disproportionately impacted when it comes to the total number of people living with HIV in South Carolina. As of Dec. 31, 2022, among persons living with HIV in South Carolina:
33% were African American men who have sex with men,
13% were African American women who have sex with men,
6% were African American men who have sex with women,
18% were white men who have sex with men,
7% were persons who inject drugs, and
8% of people living with HIV were Hispanic men and women.
To help make HIV and STD testing easy and convenient, free HIV and STD testing is being offered at many DHEC health departments Thursday, June 27. DHEC also offers testing to anyone in South Carolina most weekdays year-round. Appointments are encouraged. Please call 1-855-472-3432 to schedule your appointment.
If you test negative, but are at high risk for HIV infection, you may be eligible for Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) to help prevent HIV infection. PrEP is a once daily pill or injectable that can be taken to greatly reduce your chances of getting HIV, if taken as prescribed.
For more information about STDs and locations that provide screenings, call DHEC’s STD/HIV Hotline at 1-800-322-2437 or visit DHEC’s website at www.scdhec.gov/stdhiv.
For more information about STDs and locations that provide screenings, call DHEC’s STD/HIV Hotline at 1-800-322-2437, or visit DHEC’s website at [www.scdhec.gov/stdhiv.]www.scdhec.gov/stdhiv. For any questions related to this program or if you need assistance with performing the Home Test, email us at SCHomeTestingProgram@dhec.sc.gov to schedule a Telehealth visit or call 1-800-322-2437.
