National HIV Testing Day
Yakima Co. Health District building
Today is national HIV testing day and free HIV tests are being offered in Yakima.
According to the Yakima Health District, Yakima is a moderate risk county, unlike King County which has a higher number of people infected with HIV.
Because of a growing number of HIV infections, more clinics are offering free testing along with treatment options for people with the disease.
The health district says prevention comes down to personal responsibility.
"That personal choice is to use protection when you engage in sexual activity or to not share personal items. It's important to know your status, but for all of use we should always practice safe behavior," says Sheryl DiPietro.
Nationwide more than one million people are affected with HIV and nearly one in every five infected are not aware of their HIV positive status.