The Billings Gazette is reporting a spike in positive HIV tests done by RiverStone Health clinic:

Six new positive tests were reported between March 24 and April 18, compared to nine new cases in all of 2007 and 2010. The newly diagnosed cases include five men and one woman, ranging in age from 24 to 43. In three of the cases, there was a history of intravenous drug use. The remaining three cases were sexually transmitted, according to RiverStone Health officials.

We know there are Montanans who are HIV-positive and have never been tested, or have been tested and for some reason, have never entered care.

HIV is a manageable disease. The sooner HIV-positive persons enters care and begins treatment, the less likely they are to have more difficult health issues later on in life. And because of lowering the amount of HIV in their bodies with medication, they are much less likely to transmit the virus.

Click here for more info...

Full story here.
Then, think about getting tested- and encouraging those you love to do the same.