Take a Free HIV Test, Get a $10 Gift Card

The Division of Public Health and Community Services is offering $10 gift cards to anyone who takes the test. 

Participants will also be entered into a raffle for prizes, including an adult bike with a helmet and lock, a one-year membership to the YMCA of Greater Nashua, and a $100 CVS gift card. 

Anyone unable to receive the free HIV test on June 27 can attend one of the Division of Public Health and Community Services weekly STD/HIV clinics, which are held every Thursday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at 18 Mulberry St. The clinic is staffed by two public health nurses, an advanced practice registered nurse and a phlebotomist/outreach worker.

Testing for various sexually transmitted diseases are provided for a nominal fee.

According to the CDC, nearly 1.1 million people in the U.S. are living with HIV and almost one in five are not aware that they are infected. HIV is most commonly spread through unprotected sex with a person who is HIV-positive, sharing of needles with an HIV-positive person, or transmission from an infected mother to her baby. People can live for years with HIV infection, especially with the proper medication and care. However, it is important for people to know their HIV status, be diagnosed early, and get linked to physician care to help ensure the best health outcomes.

If you would like to learn more about National HIV Testing Day or the STD/HIV clinics, please call the Division of Public Health and Community Services at 589-4500 or visit: http://bit.ly/NashuaPHealth orhttp://hivtest.cdc.gov/press_files/Default.aspx for more information.