December 1st is World AIDS Day

In recognition of World AIDS Day on December 1, Cross Valley Health & Medicine encourages everyone to get tested for HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. In the United States, about 1 in 8 people who have HIV don’t know it.

The only way to know for sure whether or not you have HIV is to get tested. You could have HIV and still feel healthy. Everyone ages 15 to 65 needs to get tested at least once. Some people may need to get tested more often.

To find an HIV testing location near you, text your ZIP code to KNOWIT (566948) or use this online locator.

HIV is passed from one person to another by:

  • Having unprotected sex with a person who has HIV
  • Sharing needles with someone who has HIV
  • Breastfeeding, pregnancy, or childbirth if the mother has HIV
  • Getting a transfusion of blood that’s infected with HIV (very rare in the United States)

Around the world, about 37 million people are living with HIV. In the United States, about 44,000 people get infected with HIV every year. World AIDS Day is a global initiative to raise awareness, fight prejudice, and improve education about HIV and AIDS.

For more information, visit https://healthfinder.gov/NHO/DecemberToolkit.aspx and learn more about HIV/AIDS and how to prevent this disease.

Cross Valley Health & Medicine is a primary care practice located in Newburgh, NY, allowing for both virtual and in-person appointments. The practice has two medical providers on staff, a medical doctor who is dual board-certified in Addiction Medicine and Internal Medicine and a family nurse practitioner. Both providers are eager to see new patients for the following programs: Addiction Medicine, Behavioral Health Management, HIV/AIDS Care Management, Internal Medicine, Medical Marijuana Certifications, Medication-Assisted Treatment, STDI/STI Care Management, and Weight Loss Management. If you are interested in becoming a patient of Cross Valley, please click here to access our online paperwork portal.