Education and prevention publicity of the threat of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases should extend beyond Friday’s National HIV Testing Day, local health officials say.

“We do all the things people do on National HIV Testing Day every day of the year,” said Brian Dunn, health promotion supervisor of the Theilen Student Health Center.

Dunn said he encourages students not only to educate themselves on the spread of HIV, but also to engage in safe sexual behavior. Getting tested may decrease the spread of HIV, but it won’t protect those who have HIV-positive test results, Dunn said.

Melissa Grant, senior director of health services for Planned Parenthood of Greater Iowa, said she encourages students to engage in open discussion about risky behavior and HIV testing.

“Getting testing done can give people the chance to learn information that can save their lives,” Grant said.

“The more information a person has, the more likely they will be to protect themselves.”

Planned Parenthood of Ames, 2530 Chamberlain St., offers confidential HIV testing for $30.

Grant said Planned Parenthood is a valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn about HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. Any time a person walks into the clinic, they have access to information on how to protect themselves, she said.

“There has been an increase in awareness since HIV has been openly discussed,” Grant said.

Dunn said students should get tested and communicate openly about HIV, but more importantly, they should apply what they learn about safe sexual behavior.

“To be tested is a great thing, but being tested is not prevention — it’s early detection,” Dunn said.

Although HIV awareness has increased over the years, more Americans are infected with the virus than ever before.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, between 800,000 to 900,000 Americans are currently infected with HIV. The number of cases of infected Americans increases by approximately 44,000 every year.

ISU students and Ames community members can get a free and confidential HIV test at the Student Health Center on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 1—4 p.m.