HIV TESTING

Since the 1980’s, the epidemic of HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) and AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) has had a devastating effect on people from all different countries, all different walks-of-life, and all different ages. No one is spared by the HIV/AIDS virus; however, a simple HIV test can stop the cycle of transmission and give you the peace of mind of knowing you are free of this deadly disease. By the end of 2010, 34 million people around the world had contracted HIV.
The importance HIV testing has become apparent from the very beginning, though early testing technologies were in need of some fine-tuning. Nowadays the HIV test and testing methods have come a very long way. HIV tests can now be performed by blood with a simple finger-stick and the results can be given in as little as 15 minutes. These rapid HIV tests are antibody tests and are similar to what would be done in a laboratory, and they are just as accurate.
There used to be a stigma over HIV testing; the popular thought was that HIV only affected gay men and people who shared needles -and that those would be the only people being tested for HIV. Now we know that is far from accurate. The CDC indicates that approximately 50,000 people contract HIV each year in the United States. It is true that high-risk groups such as gay men and drug users have a higher prevalence of HIV infections, as much as 60% of new cases were from these groups; however, heterosexual couples and children were also affected. African Americans were the racial group most effected, followed by Caucasians, Hispanic/Latinos, Mixed races, Asians, and Native Americans, with Pacific Islanders showing the lowest infection rates.
Regardless of age, race, or sexual orientation; a simple HIV test can save your life.

Source : http://www.labbocaraton.com/std-testing/hiv-testing.html