December 1 is World AIDS Day

Today is World AIDS Day and Chicago is commemorating with candle light vigils and fundraisers. Over 40 million people worldwide now are infected with HIV/AIDS.

If you think that AIDS only affects the poor in Africa or gay men in San Francisco, well, you’d be wrong. Many of your neighbors, friends, and possible sex partners are infected and you probably don’t know it. Being tested on a routine basis is vitally important to stopping the spread of this disease.

Chicagoist hates getting tested (the needles, the blood and waiting for results!), but we know it's important so we recently went to our doctor to get tested.

When was your last test?

Can't remember?

Well then it's time to go.

Howard Brown is offering free testing from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. this afternoon at their main office (4025 N. Sheridan Rd.). After today, you can still stop in for a test, but you’ll be charged depending on your income. If you’re under the age of 24, stop by the Broadway Youth Center (corner of Broadway and Belmont, at 3179 N. Broadway) for free testing every weekday. A list of other testing sites is available from the Chicago Department of Public Health.