FREE STD/HIV testing on May 18th at most local health department clinics. Please call 1-855-4-SCDHEC to schedule an appointment or click here for a listing of local health departments.
What is World AIDS Day?
World AIDS Day is observed each year on December 1 and is an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, show their support for people living with HIV, and remember those who have died. Started in 1988, World AIDS Day was the first ever global health day
In observance of World AIDS Day on Dec. 1, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) will offer free testing at local health departments on Thursday, Dec. 1st. South Carolinians can be tested for HIV, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), and Hepatitis C at no cost.
For more information about World AIDS Day events and local HIV testing sites, call DHEC's S.C. STD/HIV Hotline at 1-800-322-AIDS (1-800-322-2437).
Can’t make it to a testing event? No problem. Order a free test kit!
Getting Into Care
Just like with many other chronic health conditions, seeing a health care provider for the first time about HIV might make you a bit nervous. We encourage persons diagnosed with HIV to seek care, stay in care, and achieve viral suppression by taking antiretroviral therapy (ART). People with HIV who take HIV medicine (called antiretroviral therapy) as prescribed and get and keep an undetectable viral load can live long and healthy lives and will not transmit HIV to their HIV-negative partners through sex. DHEC has several partner agencies that provide an array of services such as testing, referrals/linkage to medical care, and other options regardless of insurance or immigration status. For more on who to call please click here:
For more information about HIV Care & Treatment here: Let's Talk About HIV Treatment! - Greater Than AIDS
2022 Ending the Epidemics SC World AIDS Day Events
Rewriting the Story
Ending the Epidemics SC World AIDS Day
“While I breathe, I hope” - On World AIDS Day 2022, celebrate the heroes across South Carolina, who are rewriting the story of HIV, STDs, Viral Hepatitis and Substance Use Disorders. They…you…we are changing despair and fear into hope and transforming stigma into knowledge and faith in a future, where everyone’s life is valued. DHEC, DAODAS, Ending the Epidemics SC and other key partners invite the public to participate in the youth-led Ending the Epidemics SC World AIDS Day 2022 events online or in-person on Thursday, Dec. 1. An all-day Facebook, Instagram and TikTok event will feature video greetings and information from individuals, clinics and agencies around the state, and the annual Charleston-area World AIDS Day Community Candlelight Observance will be livestreamed beginning at 6:00 p.m. An in-person event will take place in Columbia outside the South Carolina State House from 11a.m. - 2p.m. on Dec. 1 and will include a press conference at 11 a.m., free HIV testing, demonstrations of home-test kits, informational displays, a Rewriting the Story story-sharing section, a data walk, SC State House Trails activities, a service of healing at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, swag, games and prizes.
For more information about World AIDS Day events and local HIV testing sites, call DHEC's S.C. STD/HIV Hotline at 1-800-322-AIDS.