Sunday, Dec. 1, is World AIDS Day. Originating in 1988, World AIDS Day is meant to bring understanding on how to prevent new infections. Preventing the spread of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the best way to to keep yourself, your family, and your community protected.

Prevention starts with knowing your HIV status. Frequent testing and using prevention methods are Health Department of Northwest Michigan’s (HDNW) primary approaches to minimizing the spread of HIV and AIDS locally.

Knowing the Basics
(HIV) is a virus that attacks the body’s immune system. It targets the body’s white blood cells, weakening the immune system. This makes it easier to get sick with other diseases. Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) occurs at the most advanced stage of the HIV infection.

HIV is spread from the body fluids of an infected person, including blood, breast milk, and fluids exchanged during intimacy. Untreated HIV can progress to AIDS, often after many years. In the past five years, HIV cases in Northern Michigan have risen by more than 200%. Testing frequently can help catch this virus at an early stage and help people become part of the prevention effort.

“By continually bringing down new infection rates, we can achieve an AIDS-free generation,” says Dr. Joshua Meyerson, HDNW Medical Director. “In 2023, an estimated 1.3 million people acquired HIV. Acknowledging World AIDS Day will help bring awareness to testing services that HDNW offers locally to help reduce the spread of diseases.”

Prevention Services
Prevention is the best way to stop a disease from spreading. Comparing data from 2014-2018 to data from 2019-2023 in Northwest Michigan, the following findings are noteable:

• 67% of residents were diagnosed in the emergency room or during outpatient visits,
• 44% of the new diagnoses were found at stage 3 (AIDS diagnosis), and
• Close to 41% do not have an identified risk factor, such as reported injection drug use.

HDNW is a judgement free resource available to all community members, regardless of HIV status, background, or gender. The staff is trained to provide sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing and education to help residents make informed decisions that help them protect their health.

Tests are sent directly to HDNW’s local laboratory with results available within three days. Rapid HIV testing is also available with results available in as soon as 20 minutes.

For more information about World AIDS Day click here. To make an appointment to get tested, call us locally at 800-432-4121. Visit our website: www.nwhealth.org to learn more about services we offer. To stay updated on all health related topics, sign up for our newsletter by clicking here.