Indiana health officials are urging residents to get tested for the HIV virus on National HIV Testing Day on Tuesday.
State Health Commissioner Jerome Adams says testing is especially important for people who use intravenous drugs or engage in risky sexual practices. He says people who know they have the virus can take steps to stop the spread of it.
Preliminary numbers show 413 Indiana residents were diagnosed with the HIV virus in 2016. That comes after a 2015 outbreak in Scott County that was partially fueled by drug abusers who shared needles.
There’s no known cure for the HIV virus or AIDS, which can be fatal. But Adams says it can be successfully managed with proper medical care.
