World AIDS Day is Monday, December 1. This year, Deschutes County Public Health is holding a film screening and photo booth event to help create awareness and end the stigma about HIV and AIDS.
Deschutes County Public Health reminds residents each year that HIV exists here and there are things the public can do to help prevent the spread of the virus. People are encouraged to receive testing for HIV/AIDS, to know their disease status, and take active steps to control their health if living with the virus.
Two educational and interactive events on December 1:
1. Free film screening of the film “Positive Youth”– Monday, December 1 from 5-8pm at the Masonic Lodge in Bend. Join us for a night dedicated to support, educate, reduce stigma, and to encourage HIV awareness. Free screening of the documentary “Positive Youth” which follows four young adults affected by HIV/AIDS in America today as well as a guest speaker and candlelight vigil to precede film. Admission is free, refreshments and snacks are provided.
2. Photo Booth Event- Monday, December 1 from 9:30am-3:30pm at OSU-Cascades Student Lobby and COCC Student Center. Come join us by facing AIDS in the national photo campaign to reduce stigma and promote HIV testing.
Deschutes County Public Health offers services for persons living with HIV or AIDS including case management, sexually transmitted infections, testing, treatment and follow up, and support classes for managing this long-term chronic condition.
What You Should Know:
1. The Center for Disease Control recommends that everyone seriously consider taking the HIV test at least once. Of the estimated 1.1 million people living with HIV, one in six don’t know they have the virus.
2. A new, rapid HIV test gives accurate results in just 20 minutes. The test is available at several locations in Deschutes County.
3. The severity of HIV has changed through antiviral medications in the last 10 years. HIV used to be a terminal illness and now is a treatable, long-term, chronic condition.
4. Learning your HIV status and getting treatment early in the infection, is critical to living a long and normal life with the disease.
5. Early detection also helps avoid spreading the virus to sex or needle-using partners or from an HIV-positive mother to her baby.
Deschutes County Health Services offers a Positive Self-Management class for persons with living HIV and their partners and/ or family members. Call (541) 322-7425 for more information. For more HIV/AIDS information, please visit www.cdc.gov, www.aids.gov or the Deschutes County Health Services website www.deschutes.org . For more information contact Heather Kaisner at
541-322-7452.
