Charlotte, NC – The Mecklenburg County Health Department is providing free and confidential HIV/AIDS testing on Friday, June 27, in recognition of National HIV/AIDS Testing Day.  

HIV/Aids Testing Day is an annual event intended to raise awareness of one’s HIV status and to encourage at-risk individuals to get tested. 

Mecklenburg County has nearly 4,000 residents who are infected with HIV, and there are potentially many more that are unaware of their infection. Getting tested now enables people with HIV to protect their health and their partner’s, and enables others to get the information they need to stay uninfected.

In addition, everyone tested for HIV/AIDS will also be checked for syphilis. Syphilis cases are closely related to the incidence of HIV/AIDS. The number of cases in Mecklenburg County has begun to level off following a dramatic rise over the past couple of years. The disease is still particularly prevalent in the African-American community, and in men having sex with men (MSM).

Free and confidential testing will take place:

Friday, June 27 at the Greenville Recreation Center
1300 Spring Street, Charlotte
3 p.m. - 7 p.m.

The Mecklenburg County Health Department also offers free and confidential HIV/AIDS testing. For more information about testing sites, or to schedule an appointment at the Health Department, call 704-432-TEST. To learn more about HIV/AIDS, visit the Web site www.meckhealth.org.