Know Your HIV Status | Video

Michelle San Miguel | 11/30/2012

Many people living with HIV don`t even know they have it. According to the CDC, people between 13 and 24 years old account for more than a quarter of new HIV infections every year. Yet many don`t know they`re infected.

"The thing with HIV is it can take years and years to have any symptoms for it. So a lot of people, unless you have a symptom for something, won`t get tested so the biggest thing that we want to say is if you`re at risk for it you want to go and get tested so you know your status. then you`re preventing it from spreading to others," said HIV/STD/TB/Hepatitis Program Manager Krissie Guerard.

People are at an increased risk for contracting HIV if they have unprotected sex, share needles, or get a tattoo or body piercing in an unsanitary environment.

Tomorrow the American Red Cross is holding free testing for HIV, Hepatitis C and STDs in honor of World Aids Day. The testing runs from 10:00 to 2:30 at the Red Cross office in Bismarck.

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