National HIV Testing Day

Today is National HIV Testing Day, and Collegeville's offers conventional testing to those who might have contracted the virus.

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)—which can cause AIDS—"destroys specific blood cells, called CD4+ T cells, which are crucial to helping the body fight diseases," according to the Center for Disease Control's (CDC) website.

A person should be tested for HIV if he or she has partaken in any at-risk behaviors, including using drugs intravenously with shared equipment, having unprotected sex with "men who have sex with men, multiple partners or anonymous partners," or having been "diagnosed with or treated for hepatitis, tuberculosis (TB), or a sexually transmitted disease (STD), such as syphilis," according to the CDC.

A person who has recently contracted HIV may experience flu-like symptoms for a week or two, while others may experience no symptoms at all, the CDC reports. However, even if someone with HIV appears to be healthy, the virus is still impacting that person's body, and he or she should still receive treatment, the CDC states.

Planned Parenthood is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Mondays; appointments are suggested.