AROUND 10 per cent of HIV positive people in the ACT may be unaware they are infected, a statistic that the AIDS Action Council and local partners are looking to change.

The AIDS Action Council in partnership with ACT Health, ACT Medicare Local and Sexual Health and Family Planning ACT (SHFPACT) will be launching the inaugural ACT Testing Month on 1 November 2014 at Fairday on the grounds of Westlund House in Acton.

“There has been a steady rise in new HIV infections in recent years and during November we are encouraging at risk people to test for HIV and other sexually transmissible infections (STIs). Getting an HIV test is now easier and faster than ever before,” said Dr Nathan Boyle, the President of the AIDS Action Council.

Dr Nathan Boyle President of the AIDS Action Council said “Increasing testing rates is vital because HIV is generally transmitted by people who don’t know they have it. However, many people have not been tested recently, do not know they are HIV positive, and are possibly transmitting HIV to others. During the ACT Testing Month, we are encouraging people to check their HIV status, and also support the Ending HIV campaign by posting on their social media accounts.”

For more information on where you can be tested during November please contact the AIDS Action Council on 6257 2855 or go to www.aidsaction.org.au/testingmonth