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National HIV Testing Day is observed on June 27 every year.  On this day, we stress the importance of HIV testing and knowing your status.  HIV testing is an important part of your general health and well being.   

There are more ways than ever to get tested for HIV.  If you have a healthcare provider, you can ask for HIV testing as part of your regular appointments.  Otherwise, there are many other options in Virginia that are free or at low-cost. 

National HIV Testing Day Event 

Nine community agencies are partnering with Walgreens and Greater Than HIV across the nation to offer free HIV testing on HIV Testing Day. These agencies will provide testing at 12 Walgreens locations across the state. Visit the NHTD Walgreens Locator to find a location near you.   

Some agencies/locations will also offer rapid syphilis and hepatitis C testing. 

Testing Locations 

VDH has local health departments that offer testing throughout the state. VDH also works with community organizations and healthcare clinics to offer HIV testing.  Some locations offer rapid testing that can give you your results in 20 minutes or less.  To learn more about HIV testing and to find a location near you, visit the VDH HIV testing webpage. 

Why Getting Tested is Important 

Since 2020, the number of HIV diagnoses and rate (per 100,000) has risen each year in Virginia.  Before 2020, the number of new HIV diagnoses were stable or declining.   Certain areas of Virginia and some groups of people are more impacted by HIV. The VDH HIV dashboard has information that explains some of these differences.  

If you are sexually active, talk to your healthcare provider about getting HIV testing each year.  If you have other risk factors such as multiple partners, drug use, unprotected sex, etc., talk to your provider about more frequent testing. 

Getting tested for HIV is the only way to know your status.  Knowing your status is critical to effectively managing your health. 

HIV Self-Testing 

HIV self-test kits can give you results in about 20 minutes in the privacy of your own home or wherever is convenient. Some people are eligible to receive a free HIV self-test kit.  If you’re eligible, a kit will be mailed discreetly to your home. You can take the kit in the privacy of your home or wherever else is convenient. Your results will be ready in about 20 minutes. There are several options provided for support to help with the testing process and to answer questions about your results. To learn more about this program, visit the Virginia Greater Than HIV partner program page. 

Have Questions? 

If you have questions about HIV testing, contact us!  Our hotline staff is available to answer your questions and help.  The Disease Prevention Hotline is available toll-free. Call (800) 533-4148 to reach us.  Hotline hours are weekdays from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.   

Summer is all about fun in the sun! But as temperatures rise, you should take precautions to prevent heat-related illnesses like heat exhaustion and heat stroke. 

Last summer, Virginia saw more than 3,200 heat-related illness visits to emergency departments (EDs) and urgent cares according to the surveillance dashboard.   

When temperatures climb into the 90s and 100s, make sure you follow these tips to stay healthy: 

• Keep cool. Whenever possible, stay in the air conditioning. Don’t have AC? Check with your local government for cooling centers or visit indoor locations like libraries or malls. 

• Stay hydrated. Don’t wait until you are thirsty to drink. Drink water and plenty of it. Avoid drinks high in sugar, sodium, caffeine, and alcohol. 

• Wear sunscreen. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher. Apply every two hours. 

• Eat light meals. Avoid hot, heavy meals. They add heat to the body. Avoid using the stove or oven to cook. It will make you and the house hotter. 

• Dress light. Wear loose, light-colored, and lightweight clothing. 

• Limit time outside. Try to limit your outdoor activity to when it’s coolest, like morning and evening hours. Stay in the shade when you can. 

• Protect others. Never leave children or pets in cars. Get in the habit of always checking your back seat to make sure no child or pet is left behind. 

• Stay informed. Pay attention to the forecast. Understand heat advisories. 

• Make sure you check on your neighbors. Keep an eye on vulnerable populations, such as: 

• • Outdoor workers 

• • Elderly adults 

• • Infants and children 

• • Individuals with chronic conditions 

• • Pregnant women 

• • Athletes 
• Know the Symptoms. Pay attention to your body to recognize the signs of heat-related illness. Cool down with a shower or a bath. Seek medical care immediately if symptoms worsen. 
• Call 911 immediately if an individual: 
  • Loses consciousness,  

• • Has a fast, strong pulse,  

• • Has hot, red skin, and/or  

• • Has a temperature of 103°F or higher 

Check out the Heat Risk Forecast or the CDC Heat and Health Tracker for heat risk and keep these tips in mind for a safe, cool summer. Remember your local health department is a great resource for summer safety. 

Have a healthy, happy, and safe summer! 

Nothing can spoil your summertime outside like the buzz of mosquitoes feeding on their favorite meal: you. 

Not only do mosquito bites itch like crazy, but they can also spread diseases to people and other mammals. The most common locally acquired mosquito-borne illness in Virginia is West Nile Virus. Other illnesses like malaria, Zika, dengue, and chikungunya are reported in Virginia each year, but are typically associated with travel. 

National Mosquito Control Awareness Week is observed this year from June 15-21. The goal is simple: to highlight the dangers that mosquitoes pose and the everyday things we can do in our daily lives to reduce those dangers. 

When thinking of mosquito control, just remember the three Ds: drain, dress, and defend. 

Drain: Many types of mosquitoes love standing water. Many mosquito problems around your home or neighborhood can be reduced by eliminating any standing water. These are just a few steps you can take: 

• Dispose of any old tires. Water can collect in tires and serve as the breeding grounds for thousands of mosquitoes. 

• Clear debris from your gutters. 

• Drill holes in the bottoms of any recycling containers. 

• Repair leaky outdoor faucets. 

• Change the water in bird baths at least once a week. 

• Store canoes or kayaks upside down. 

• Avoid water collecting on pool covers. 

• Plug any holes in tree trunks where water can collect. 

Dress: When you’re outside, wear light-colored, loose-fitting clothing. Studies have shown that many species of mosquitoes found in the U.S. are more attracted to dark clothing. Most mosquitoes can bite through tight-fitting clothing made with a loose weave. Also, when practical, wear long sleeves and pants to cover your skin. 

Defend: Choose a mosquito repellent that has been registered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Registered products have been reviewed, approved, and pose minimal risk for human safety when you use them according to label directions. Three popular repellents that have been approved for use are: 

• DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide), 

• Picaridin (KBR 3023), and 

• Oil of lemon eucalyptus (p-methane 3,8 diol, or PMD). 

If you’re using a repellent:  

• Read the directions carefully and always use repellants as directed.  

• Keep repellents away from the eyes, nostrils, and lips. 

• Avoid applying it to portions of a child’s hands likely to come into contact with their eyes or mouth. 

• Talk with your pediatrician if you have questions about the use of DEET in children. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) suggests that DEET-based repellents can be used on children as young as 2 months of age. 

• Use repellants even if you are pregnant or nursing. 

• Never use a repellent on wounds or irritated skin. 

• Use repellents sparingly and reapply as needed. Saturation with a repellent does not make it work better. 

The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) website provides information about mosquitoes and mosquito-borne illnesses. For more information about preventing mosquito bites, including a search tool for choosing the repellant that’s right for you and your family visit https://www.cdc.gov/mosquitoes/prevention/index.html 

Be smart when you’re outdoors. Don’t be a day’s meal for the swarms of mosquitoes buzzing around out there. 

Did you know that according to the National Safety Council (NSC), preventable injuries are a leading cause of death in the United States? The Virginia Department of Health joins the Council and other organizations around the country in shining a light on preventing injury.  

June is National Safety Month. Whether it’s preparing for summer fun or enjoying all other seasons, there are steps you can take to protect yourself and your family.  

• Bicycle and skate safety 

• Playground safety 

• Drowning prevention  

• Dog bite prevention 

• Fall prevention for children. 

• Choking and strangulation prevention for infants and toddlers 

• Poison prevention  

• Domestic violence prevention 

• Gun safety 

• Home fire safety 

For more information or additional resources, visit Injury and Violence Prevention. 

The 38th annual National Cancer Survivors Day was June 1. This year, the focus was on celebrating cancer survivors, raising awareness and inspiring hope for the future. According to the American Cancer Society, as of 2022, more than 432,500 cancer survivors live in Virginia.   

VDH is also highlighting the important role timely cancer screening can have on in improved outcomes among cancer survivors. Programs like Every Woman’s Life (EWL), offer life-saving services. EWL provides free breast and cervical cancer screening services to Virginia women who are uninsured or have low income.  

A person is considered a cancer survivor from the time of diagnosis through the rest of their life. However, after treatment has ended, cancer survivors may experience 

• long term physical and emotional side effects,  

• financial hardships,  

• increased risk for secondary cancers  

• other health problems as a result of their cancer diagnosis and treatment.    

There are a number of resources available to cancer survivors and their caretakers to help address needs they may experience during their survivorship journey.  

• CDC Cancer Survivors: https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/survivors/index.htm  

• National Cancer Institute: Cancer Survivorship: https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/coping/survivorship  

• American Cancer Society: https://www.cancer.org/  

• Patient Advocate Foundation: https://www.patientadvocate.org/  

• Cancer LINC: https://cancerlinc.org/  

• ASK Childhood Cancer Foundation: https://www.askccf.org/  

To learn more, visit the Virginia Cancer Plan. 

May is National High Blood Pressure Education Month. High blood pressure is often called the silent killer. This is because it can have no symptoms but is the leading cause of heart disease and stroke. High blood pressure can also damage your kidneys, eyes, brain and the lining of your blood vessels.  

The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) encourages you to know your blood pressure numbers. The more you know, the better chance you have of protecting yourself and preventing: 

• Stroke 

• Heart attack 

• Cardiovascular or heart disease 

• Death 

Make sure to also adopt good health habits to keep your blood pressure under control: 

• Get regular check ups 

• Eat a balanced diet 

• Exercise regularly 

• Manage your stress 

• Regularly monitor your blood pressure 

• Learn more about high blood pressure. 

As we begin spending more time outdoors, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) encourages you to protect your skin. May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month. Too much exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light, can put you at risk for skin cancer. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States. The good news is that it’s preventable.

To help prevent skin cancer:

• Wear sunscreen (SPF 15 or higher)
• Reapply every two hours or after swimming, sweating, or toweling off
• Wear protective clothing
• Wide-brimmed hats, sunglasses, (long sleeves and pants when possible)
• Spend time in the shade
• Avoid peak sunlight hours (10 a.m.-4 p.m.)
• Do regular skin self-exams

If you find something unusual on your skin, contact your health care provider. Finding skin cancer early improves the chances of it being treated successfully.

VDH offers a variety of resources and information about cancer. Learn more by visiting the VDH cancer resources page. For additional questions, please email [email protected].

Fight the Bite! 

How Lyme Disease Spreads 

• Forests
• Along the forest edge
• Shaded grassy areas
• Tall brush

Symptoms of Lyme Disease 

• Fever
• Chills
• Headache
• Joint or muscle pain
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Fatigue

• Severe headaches and neck stiffness
• Pain in the tendons, muscles, joints, and bones
• Rashes on other areas of the body
• Arthritis with severe joint pain and swelling, especially in the knees and other large joints
• Facial palsy with the facial muscles drooping on one side
• Nerve pain and shooting pains, numbness, or tingling in the hands and feet
• Irregular heartbeat, dizziness, and/or shortness of breath
• Inflammation of the brain and spinal cord

Protect Yourself from Ticks 

• Avoid contact with ticks. Avoid wooded and brushy areas with high grass and leaf litter. Walk in the center of trails when possible.
• When outside where ticks may be present: 
  • Use a Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (OLE), para-menthane-diol (PMD), or 2-undecanone.
  • EPA’s helpful search tool can help you find the product that best suits your needs.
  • Always follow product instructions and do not use products containing OLE or PMD on children under 3 years old.
• Wear protective clothing like pants and long-sleeved shirts. Tuck socks into pants to prevent ticks from getting underneath clothes.
• If you’ve been outside, hiking or camping, it’s important to check yourself for ticks and remove any you find immediately.
  • Make sure to remove them in the correct way.
  • If you find a tick and are unsure how long it has been on your body, preserve the tick in rubbing alcohol or a plastic bag.
  • Keeping the tick can be helpful. If you develop symptoms, identifying the tick can help determine they type of treatment you may need.
  • VDH offers tick identification through the Virginia Tick Survey.

If You Have Symptoms 

• If you notice any of early symptoms of Lyme disease, consult with your healthcare provide as soon as possible.
• Getting treatment in the early stages of Lyme Disease can help prevent severe disease and any long-term effects.

Learn More 

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Week celebrates the brave and dedicated EMS providers who respond to calls for help during times of crisis and provide the best prehospital emergency care to all people in the Commonwealth. As proclaimed by Governor Glenn Youngkin, EMS Week in Virginia is May 18 – 24, 2025, and this year’s theme is: “We Care. For Everyone.”  

Across Virginia, 39,964 EMS providers deliver compassionate emergency care during our citizens’ most critical hour of need. Last year, EMS providers responded to 1.74 million calls for help. That’s approximately 4,754 incidents per day. 

EMS in Virginia is built on coordination, innovation and service. This system is comprised of 548 volunteer and career EMS agencies that serve rural, suburban and urban landscapes. It is a network supported by 11 Regional EMS Councils that assist EMS providers across the state who work closely with system partners, hospitals, dispatch centers, health departments and emergency management agencies to deliver lifesaving care every day.  

This year’s theme, “We Care. For Everyone.” reflects the inclusivity and commitment to provide a range of medical interventions and support within Virginia’s EMS System. Regardless of background or circumstance, when a call for help is placed, Virginia’s EMS providers stand ready to respond quickly and provide professional, compassionate care.  

During this special week, the Virginia Department of Health, Office of Emergency Medical Services honors the courage and dedication of Virginia’s EMS providers. They are the heroes who show up on someone’s hardest day to provide comfort and lifesaving services. We thank you for caring for everyone and your commitment to Virginia’s EMS System.  

Read the Governor’s EMS Week proclamation.  

Learn more about EMS in Virginia: https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/emergency-medical-services/ and National EMS Week: https://emsweek.org/. 

Hepatitis Awareness Month is observed May each year. Hepatitis Testing Day is May 19 annually.  During this time, we work hard to shed light on how viral hepatitis impacts our communities.  We do this by:

1. Educating the public
2. Encouraging testing/screening for hepatitis
3. Discussing the importance of vaccinations for hepatitis

Viral Hepatitis Facts

1. There are several different viruses that can cause hepatitis.  The most common types are hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C.
2. Some hepatitis infections are short-term and clear on their own.  Others can become long-term and need ongoing medical care.
3. Long-term hepatitis B and C are leading causes of liver cancer in the U.S.
4. Both hepatitis A and B are preventable through safe and effective vaccines.
5. Hepatitis C can be cured with a prescribed treatment.
6. All adults up to age 60 should consider vaccination against hepatitis A and B.  Those 60+ should consider vaccination if they have certain risk factors.  If you are 60+ and do not have risk factors, talk to your healthcare provider about if vaccination may be beneficial or not.
7. Hepatitis A Vaccine Info
8. Hepatitis B Vaccine Info
9. More than 65% of people that have hepatitis B are unaware of their infection.
10. About 40% of people living with hepatitis C are unaware that they have it.
11. All adults should get tested for hepatitis B and hepatitis C at least once in their lifetime. Pregnant women should be tested for both during each pregnancy.  People with ongoing risk for HBV and/or HCV should test routinely for as long as risk persists.  Getting tested is the only way to know if you have hepatitis B or C.

What is Virginia Doing?

Virginia offers/funds multiple programs and services for viral hepatitis statewide.  These include:

1. Testing
2. Vaccination
3. Linkage to medical care
4. Treatment assistance for some vulnerable populations
5. And more

Genomic Surveillance Project

VDH has partnered with the Virginia Tech Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory to implement genomic surveillance of the Hepatitis C Virus (HCV). This partnership enables the detection and response to HCV transmission networks. This project has already detected HCV transmission networks spanning multiple jurisdictions. Detecting these networks allows VDH to:

1. strategically direct resources,
2. enhance prevention efforts, and
3. deploy targeted interventions where they are most needed.

Questions about Viral Hepatitis?

Learn more about viral hepatitis by visiting our website.  There you can also find sites near you that provide free or low-cost vaccinations or testing services.

For more information about viral hepatitis, call the Disease Prevention Hotline.  Reach a hotline operator toll-free at (800) 533-4148.