Free HIV Testing in Riverside Today

Today is National HIV Testing Day and Riverside County is taking part.

Free HIV testing is available for Riverside County residents until 4 p.m. Monday at the Galleria at Tyler and from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. at the VIP Nightclub, both in Riverside, according to the county Department of Public Health.

Testing is available to anyone 12 or older.

The department cited an estimate that 1,114 people are living with HIV in Riverside County, and stated some officials believe the actual number of those infected is higher.

Across the United States, health officials believe there are 1.1 million people living with HIV, including more than 200,000 who are unaware they have been infected, according to the Department of Public Health.

"With everything that we know about the effectiveness of early treatment of HIV, testing remains an essential and first step for everyone, whether you get tested by your doctor or at one of these test events," Dr. Eric Frykman, Riverside County health officer, said in a statement.

In addition to free HIV testing, the event at the Tyler Galleria will feature a live feed from KGGI 99.1 radio, give-aways, and HIV prevention education.

National HIV Testing Day was founded in 1995 by the National Association of People with AIDS in hopes of slowing the spread of the illness, particularly in minority communities which are infected at disproportionate rates, county health officials said.

The Galleria at Tyler is at the intersection of Tyler Street and Magnolia Avenue, just north of the 91 Freeway. The VIP nightclub is at 3673 Merrill Ave.

For more information, call (800) 243-7275.