The easiest way to know your HIV status is to get tested. The Putnam County Department of Health is offering free HIV testing for New York State residents on Tuesday, June 27 from 10 am to 2 pm at the health department, located at 1 Geneva Road in Brewster. The test takes just 15 minutes and is completely confidential. Walk-ins welcome. For questions or to make an appointment, please call 845-808-1390 extension 43155.

According to the CDC, there were approximately 150,000 people with HIV in the United States in 2019 who did not know it. It is important to know your HIV status so that, if positive, treatment can begin as early as possible, and you can begin taking steps to prevent transmission to a partner.  If your HIV status is negative, there are still certain steps you can take to lower your chances of getting HIV. Abstinence, choosing less risky sexual activities, having fewer partners, using condoms the right way every time, not sharing drug injecting equipment, or taking medications called pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) if you are high-risk all can decrease the chances of HIV transmission. Free condoms are always available at the health department in the lobby. Stop by the health department on Tuesday, June 27^th to ask about the many ways to reduce risk of HIV transmission. For more information about HIV prevention, visit cdc.gov/hiv/risk/index.html.