Local 12: National HIV Testing Day is Monday, June 27
Monday, June 27 is National HIV Testing Day and a new report says getting tested may be more important than ever in this pandemic time. In a story posted by WKRC-TV, Local 12, Carl Fichtenbaum, MD, of the Division of Infectious Diseases in the Department of Internal Medicine at the UC College of Medicine was interviewed about a shows a drop in new cases of HIV being diagnosed during the pandemic. While usually this would be celebrated by infectious disease specialists, in this case, it appears it poses a new danger.
“I’m not convinced HIV numbers are going down, but testing is going down,” said Fichtenbaum.
This newly released CDC report shows nationwide new cases of HIV dropped 17% in the first year of the pandemic. Even before the pandemic began the CDC estimated more than a million people were living with HIV in the U.S. and almost 13% were unaware of it. Now that number could be even higher.
“So, then the question is, will those missing people be transmitting to others because they don’t realize they have it,” said Fichtenbaum.
“I think what happens is you get sick with a cold and a flu, and a feel, bad, and given that we’ve had a COVID pandemic people may even think they had COVID,” said Dr. Fichtenbaum.
Fichtenbaum says just as with COVID-19 people often recover quickly and feel better when your body begins to control the HIV infection.
“The virus doesn’t go away, and you’re still able to transmit it to other people, you’re still contagious,” said Fichtenbaum.
Lead photo/Colleen Kelley/UC Marketing + Brand
Latest UC News
- 2024 Daniel Drake Medals to be awarded April 27The UC College of Medicine will award three people with 2024 Daniel Drake Medals April 27.
- UC education allowed couple to make mark on CincinnatiAs a native of Defiance, Ohio, John Deatrick, CEAS ’79, says arriving in Cincinnati to attend the University of Cincinnati in 1963 felt like landing in New York City.
- Engineering student studying flight physics of birdsAfter earning a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering in Nepal, Sameer Pokhrel came to the United States to further his education. From an early age, he had a lifelong fascination with aviation. As an adult, he transformed this fascination into a career, pursuing a doctoral degree in aerospace engineering at the University of Cincinnati's historic program. Here, he has succeeded in research, instruction, and was recently named Graduate Student Engineer of the Month by the College of Engineering and Applied Science.
- UC Exercise Science Expo highlights community connections and industry expertiseOn March 28, 2024, the University of Cincinnati’s Exercise Science (EXSC) program, part of the School of Human Services, hosted the university’s inaugural Exercise Science Expo in the Tangeman University Center. The event, which was open to UC EXSC students, brought together industry representatives, community partners and recent alumni for a full day of networking, special speakers, internship and job opportunities, and more.
- The graduating class of 2024 shares creative works across 15 interdisciplinary degree programs at DAAPworksDAAP’s Graduating Class of 2024 shares creative works across 15 interdisciplinary degree programs at DAAPworks.
- Engineering students present at third annual ExpoThis spring, senior students at the University of Cincinnati's College of Engineering and Applied Science came together to present their final capstone projects at the third annual CEAS Expo. College faculty, staff, alumni and industry professionals attended the event to witness the innovation that is created at CEAS.