Free HIV testing offered by Health Dept

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - The Kent County Health Department is offering free HIV testing in this week in honor of National HIV Testing Day.

The 18th Annual HIV Testing Day is Wednesday.

The Centers for Disease Control estimate that one in five people in the U.S. who have HIV don't know their status, according to a release from the Kent County Health Department.

HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a virus that destroys specific blood cells needed to fight off diseases, according to the CDC.

If untreated, HIV can develop into AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome), when the body's ability to fight diseases and cancer is crippled. AIDS can cause death.

Free and anonymous testing will be offered:

- June 25 and June 26 26 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Kent County Health Department Sheldon Clinic;
- June 27 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Kent County Health Department Main Clinic;
- June 28 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Heartside Ministries.

--

Sheldon Clinic
121 Franklin SE, Ste. 130
Grand Rapids, 49507

Main Clinic
700 Fuller NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Heartside Ministries
54 Division Avenue South
Grand Rapids, MI 49503

--

Online:

More information on HIV and AIDS from the Kent County Health Department (pdf)

Clinic locations (including maps)

Information on HIV and AID from the CDC