Douglas County Health encourages testing for HIV on World AIDS Day
More than 32 million lives have been lost to AIDS worldwide, which is caused by an HIV infection.
More than 32 million lives have been lost to AIDS worldwide, which is caused by an HIV infection.
More than 32 million lives have been lost to AIDS worldwide, which is caused by an HIV infection.
On this World AIDS Day, there was a new push by Douglas County Health to "Test to End HIV."
While health officials work to end the epidemic, other organizations in the metro are helping people who live with the disease.
More than 32 million lives have been lost to AIDS worldwide, which is caused by an HIV infection.
The biggest thing for the Nebraska AIDS Project is getting people the help they need.
"It was probably one of the most devastating days of my life. I was 22 years old when I found out," said Tommy Dennis.
Dennis is the outreach manager for NAP. He has been living with HIV for about 13 years now.
"Not knowing was probably one of the scariest things, not knowing what I was looking at," said Dennis.
An HIV infection weakens the body's immune system, leaving you open to things like pneumonia, cancer and AIDS.
That is why Douglas County Health encourages people to get tested.
"If you know your status, then you can begin getting treatment. There's some very effective treatments for this now. It's no longer the death sentence that it once was. And you can also then take the proper precautions to avoid spreading the disease to anyone else," said Phil Rooney, a Douglas County Health Department spokesperson.
Testing involves a simple finger pinprick for blood, with results in about a minute. Medical science has made incredible progress against HIV since the '90s. Most Americans with the virus do not develop AIDS because of advances in medication.
Last year, Douglas County had 45 confirmed cases of HIV. It is 32 so far this year.
"It's not quite one a week, so that's still a fairly significant number of people because it is a disease that can severely impact your health," said Rooney.
For those living the fight, World AIDS Day is a chance to raise awareness once again.
"It's empowered me. It's empowered me because I wanted to use my voice, use my face to stand with my community, to educate not only my friends and family but people who I don't even know," said Dennis.
Nebraska Health and Human Services says most new HIV cases in the state have been among 20- and 30-year-olds in the last five years.
Anyone who is sexually active should consider yearly testing.