Stress-free HIV Testing in DC Paves Way for Longer and Better Life for HIV-infected People

There are over 1.2 million HIV-infected people in the US, as per reliable data from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Nearly twenty percent of them are not aware of their HIV status. There is no other way than to go for an HIV test to know the presence of HIV because an HIV-positive person remains symptom-free for several months. There are several reliable centers for a worry-free HIV test in DC, promising discreet testing. Read ahead to learn about various reasons and benefits of HIV testing. 

HIV testing helps improve survival and quality of life

Even though scientists are struggling to find a cure for HIV, there are several advanced medications to arrest the progress of HIV to Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), a severe and often life-threatening stage. Early detection at a reputed center for HIV testing, Washington DC, is a crucial step towards better control over the spread of the disease. 

The new advancements in medical research helped the development of drug combinations to reduce and control the amount of virus in the HIV-positive person. We know the combination therapy as ARV (Anti Retro Viral) therapy. The life expectancy of an HIV-positive individual taking ARV is comparable to that of normal people without an HIV infection. 

Early testing is essential for better disease control

Most people with HIV are unaware of the infection and may live symptom-free for years. The virus keeps multiplying and damaging health without an appropriate treatment. Early detection is the only option for knowing about the presence of the virus in the body. Starting ARV therapy is crucial and possible only by early HIV detection.

 The benefits of antiretroviral therapy are more if an HIV-infected person begins in the initial stages. A stress-free HIV test in DC is vital because it will help make decisions about lifestyle, health, and sex. Knowledge of one’s HIV status also helps reduce the spread of the infection to sexual partners. One can be confident of leading a healthy life regardless of the result of the HIV test.

Top reasons to get tested for HIV

Here are a few important reasons to consider early HIV testing:

• Knowledge of HIV status is crucial– Periodic HIV screening helps people in the high-risk group make informed decisions about treatment and lifestyle for a better quality of life improving life expectancy
• Testing enables appropriate treatment– A positive HIV test result opens doors to ARV treatment to reduce the viral load. Regular ARV medication is essential to control the progression of HIV to AIDS. The HIV-positive person can receive proper support and get access to vital information about prevention and control of the infection for better and longer life. 
• HIV tests are convenient – One can access an urgent care clinic for HIV testing, Washington DC for discreet testing. The walk-in urgent care STD clinic is a one-stop facility for testing and consultation. 
• Better health of partner– Knowledge about the HIV status is crucial to planning preventive measures and stopping the infection spread. It ensures better health for the HIV-infected person’s partner. Using ARV therapy reduces the viral load to untraceable levels, ensuring no transmission to others. 

What is HIV testing?

Stress-free HIV test in DC provides access to anonymous HIV testing to anyone who walks in for the test. You do not need a physician’s note while going for an HIV test. A blood test is helpful for detection of the HIV antibodies and the virus. Finger-prick tests can provide provisional results within a few minutes. 

Physicians may recommend a second confirmatory test after getting a positive test result. Western Blot test helps confirm the HIV results during the general screening. A negative test result may hint at a window period that does not show the presence of the virus. Repeating an HIV test after six months may help confirm the presence of the virus.