Locals Lost To HIV Honored On World AIDS Day With Quilt Panels Hung At Health Dept.

BRADENTON, FL — To observe World AIDS Day, which is recognized globally on Dec. 1 each year, the Florida Department of Health in Manatee County has mounted quilt panels in memory of several members of the local community who died from HIV/AIDS along the main hallway in its main building in Bradenton.

The quilt panels will be on display through December, DOH said in a news release. The public is invited to visit the health department at 410 Sixth Ave to view the display.

On Wednesday, the county’s HIV prevention staff will also offer no-cost, confidential testing for HIV, syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhea and hepatitis C from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at a mobile unit parked near the front door of the DOH’s main building.

“HIV and AIDS can come to anyone, regardless of gender, sexual orientation or race,” said DOH-Manatee Health Officer Dr. Jennifer Bencie. “Knowing your status is the first step to determining the kinds of support you might need to prevent from getting HIV or, if you already have HIV, to help ensure the best care you might need to live a long and healthy life. Your local health department offers its services to everyone at no cost.”

Anyone can also schedule an appointment for no-cost, confidential HIV/STD testing weekdays between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. by calling 941-741-3747.

“It is crucial that people diagnosed with HIV begin treatment as soon as possible,” according to the agency’s news release. “Immediate treatment with antiretroviral therapy (ART) typically leads to long, healthy lives for people with HIV. It’s also a method of HIV prevention. ART reduces the amount of HIV in the body, which makes it harder to transmit to others.”

There are also more tools available to prevent HIV, DOH added. Health care providers can help patients decide what steps they’ll take to reduce their risk of getting HIV, including taking PrEP, regular testing and using condoms.