More than 1 in 10 Virginians with HIV are not aware they have the virus that causes AIDS, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
People who have the human immunodeficiency virus have years of life to gain if they start treatment before developing symptoms, according to information shared from the CDC for this year’s National HIV Testing Day. Not knowing they’re HIV-positive prevents people from getting treatment and leads to increased spread.
As of this week, Walmart is one of the many Hampton Roads organizations to offer free HIV testing, according to a news release. Free tests are available at seven local stores: two in Chesapeake, one in Gloucester, one in Hampton, one in Norfolk and two in Virginia Beach.
“We remain on a dedicated journey to broaden access to HIV care while also doing our part to reduce the stigma associated with HIV,” Kevin Host, Walmart’s senior vice president of pharmacy, said in the release.
Walmart pharmacists will administer the test, a finger prick that takes less than 30 minutes to return results. The participating stores are part of Walmart’s Specialty Pharmacies of the Community program, which provide customized care recommendations, including help navigating insurance options.
The CDC recommends that everyone between the ages of 13 and 64 should get tested for HIV at least once. Most tests are available free or at a reduced cost, and testing locations can be found at gettested.cdc.gov.
Hampton Roads Walmart locations now offering free tests:
- 6819 Walton Lane, Gloucester
- 1900 Cunningham Drive, Hampton
- 632 Grassfield Parkway, Chesapeake
- 201 Hillcrest Parkway, Chesapeake
- 1170 N. Military Highway, Norfolk
- 657 Phoenix Drive Virginia Beach
- 2021 Lynnhaven Parkway, Virginia Beach
Have a health care or science story, question or concern? Call, text or email Katrina Dix, 757-222-5155, katrina.dix@virginiamedia.com
