In honor of National HIV Testing Day (June 27), the Florida Department of Health in Orange County will offer Free rapid HIV testing to the community at different locations over the course of four days.

Each year on June 27, we observe National HIV Testing Day to raise awareness about the importance of HIV testing and early diagnosis of HIV. This year's theme is "Doing It My Way," which highlights how and why people make testing part of their lives - on their terms and in their way.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all individuals 13-64 years old be tested for HIV at least once during their lifetime, and persons at increased risk for HIV infection be tested at least annually.

Florida remains a national leader in HIV testing, with over 1,400 registered HIV test sites (including each county health department and community-based organizations) which provide high-quality, confidential testing services at low or no cost. Testing is also available through doctor's offices and other health care facilities.

With early diagnosis, individuals can begin appropriate treatment and care resulting in better health outcomes. Studies have shown that providing antiretroviral therapy as early as possible after diagnosis improves a patient's health, reduces transmission, and can eventually lead to undetectable HIV viral loads.

Free and confidential HIV testing will be offered at the following locations:

June 23:

Walgreens in Kissimmee: 1111 W. Vine St., Kissimmee 34741 (10am - 4pm)

June 26:

Walgreens in Kissimmee: 1111 W. Vine St., Kissimmee 34741 (10am-7pm)

Walgreens on Kirkman: 920 S. Kirkman Rd, Orlando, 32811 (10am-7pm)

Walgreens on Hiawassee: 2550 N. Hiawassee Rd., Orlando 32818 (10am-7pm)

Walgreens in Cocoa: 1106 Clearlake Rd., Cocoa, 32922 (10am-7pm)

Walgreens on OBT: 5903 S. Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando, 32809 (1pm-5pm)

June 27:

Walgreens on North Lane: 5185 North Lane, Orlando 32808 (10am-7pm)

Walgreens on 535 near I-4: 13502 State Road 535 Orlando 32821 (10am-7pm)

Walgreens in Kissimmee: 1111 W. Vine St. Kissimmee 34741 (10am-7pm)

Walgreens on Old Winter Garden Rd.: 6651 Old Winter Garden Rd., Orlando 32835

Walgreens on OBT: 4502 S. Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando 32839 (10-7pm)

Walgreens on Hiawassee: 2550 N. Hiawassee Rd., Orlando 32818 (10am-7pm)

Walgreens on Alafaya: 3000 N. Alafaya Trail, Orlando 32826 (10am-7pm)

Walgreens in Apopka: 125 E. Main St., Apopka 32703 (10am-7pm)

Walgreens in Sandford: 2501 S. French Ave., Sanford 32773 (1pm-5pm)

Walgreens on Kuhl Ave.: 1200 Kuhl Ave., Orlando 32807 (9am-5pm)

Walgreens in W. Melbourne: 3090 W. New Haven Rd., West Melbourne 32904 (10am-7pm)

Walgreens in Melbourne: 1350 N. Wickham Rd., Melbourne 32935 (10am-7pm)

June 28:

Walgreens in Kissimmee: 395 Cypress Pkwy, Kissimmee 34759 (10am-7pm)

Walgreens on East Colonial: 2420 E. Colonial Dr., Orlando 32803 (10am-7pm)

Walgreens in Kissimmee: 1111 W. Vine St., Kissimmee 34741 (10am-7pm)

Walgreens on Hiawassee: 2550 N. Hiawassee Rd., Orlando 32818 (1pm-5pm)

Positive Assistance: 750 S. Orange Blossom Tr. (Suite 222), Orlando 32805 (12pm-6pm)

HIV-negative individuals are encouraged to reduce the chance of contracting HIV by using prevention strategies. As part of the Florida Department of Health in Orange County's (DOH-Orange) strategic efforts to eliminate HIV in Florida, the Department offers Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) medication. For information on the program, clinic hours, and what to expect during your first visit, please call the DOH-Orange STD clinic at 407-723-4170. PrEP is a once-daily pill that can reduce the chance of acquiring HIV in HIV-negative individuals. PrEP should be used in conjunction with other prevention methods like condoms to reduce the chance of infection. According to CDC, taking PrEP daily reduces the chance of getting HIV by more than 90 percent. Find a PrEP provider near you with the department's PrEP Providers List.

You can locate HIV counseling, testing and referral sites by visiting www.KnowYourHIVStatus.com or texting 'FLHIV' to 898211. For more information, call the Florida HIV/AIDS Hotline at 1-800-FLA-AIDS or 1-800-352-2437; En Español, 1-800-545-SIDA; In Creole, 1-800-AIDS-101. To chat with a live counselor at the Florida HIV/AIDS Hotline, visit www.211bigbend.org/flhivaidshot