Mayo Clinic Minute: Know your status — the importance of HIV testing

It's not making major news headlines like in the '80s, but HIV remains a significant health concern. About 38 million people are living with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, according to the World Health Organization.

Dr. Stacey Rizza, a Mayo Clinic infectious diseases specialist, discusses HIV testing and prevention.

Dr. Stacey Rizza says HIV attacks and weakens the immune system. It destroys a type of white blood cell called CD4, which protects against infections. Dr. Rizza says most people in the early phase of the disease often don't know they have it.

If you're HIV positive and unaware of your status, you can unknowingly transmit the virus to others through sexual contact or by sharing needles.

Screening for HIV can help detect the virus early, and knowing your status enables you to prevent spreading it to others.
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