Do you know your status? Have you ever been tested for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), the virus that causes Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS)?
Well, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has just made this task of getting tested a bit simpler and more confidential. You will soon be able to perform the test on yourself at home. The process for this will be similar to at home DNA testing to determine paternity where you are assigned a unique number, you mail off your sample, and receive confidential results at home.
I think this is wonderful! It will give those people who are too fearful of being judged to go to their doctor for testing the chance to still find out their status. Knowing your status is very important to prevent the further spread of HIV/AIDS. And, if you are infected, you have the opportunity for early treatment to live a long and still fulfilling life.
Here are some interesting and important facts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
-African Americans are the racial/ethnic group most affected by HIV.
-In 2009, African Americans comprised 14% of the US population but accounted for 44% of all new HIV infections.
-Young African American gay and bisexual men are especially at risk of HIV infection.
-In 2009, black men accounted for 70% of the estimated new HIV infections among all blacks. The estimated rate of new HIV infection for black men was more than six and a half times as high as that of white men, and two and a half times as high as that of Latino men or black women.
-In 2009, black women accounted for 30% of the estimated new HIV infections among all blacks. Most (85%) black women with HIV acquired HIV through heterosexual sex. The estimated rate of new HIV infections for black women was more than 15 times as high as the rate for white women, and more than three times as high as that of Latina women.
So, either go see your doctor for testing or test yourself at home, but KNOW YOUR STATUS!
http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm310542.htm
Doctor Mom on the Run 
I work in social services and it amazes me how in 2012 people are still ignorant about HIV/AIDS. I believe this is because we no longer discuss it on a national level now that the disease is no longer a death sentence. Many of my clients are IV heroin addicts and there has been a recent spike in heroin usage in Cincinnati which means more and moreof my clients are contracting hep c and many may possibly be unknowing HIV positive. Thanks for postig the statistics…..VERY disturbing đŚ