HIV/AIDS testing begins soon in CT

New Haven, Conn. (WTNH) - Finding out you have HIV or AIDS early on could make a difference in leading a long life.

There is still no cure, but the number of people living with HIV or AIDS has leveled off in Connecticut. However, the number of new cases has someone increased.

The Connecticut Department of Public Health estimates that half of the people with HIV and AIDS live in New Haven, Bridgeport and Hartford. But there are people unaware they are infected with HIV the virus that causes AIDS. "There are probably 750 individuals living in New Haven who are HIV positive and don't know it," said Matthew Lopes of the New Haven Department of Public Health. "Finding those individuals and also keeping everybody else safe is what we want to do."

To help with early detection, the state is offering free HIV testing next week. "Those people who do not know it, can not access the important medical care that can help delay the progression of the disease and perhaps prevent the onset of AIDS," said Christian Andresen of the Connecticut Department of Public Health.

The bottom line, knowledge is power and getting tested is key. Testing can be fairly simple. A popular method is a rapid test which consists of swabbing the cheek or a finger prick. If one line shows up on the test strip, the result is negative.

"About 40 percent of people who get their HIV test actually get that test very soon before they have AIDS which means they've been walking around for years infected but not aware of it," explained Andresen.

"We're getting a lot more in heterosexual transmissions, particularly in population of color and we're seeing an alarming increase particularly with men having sex with men," said Lopes.

Testing is still voluntary, but a new law now enables more physicians to offer routine HIV screening.

For information on where you can get a free test next week, click here .