Putnam residents are invited to visit the health department on Tuesday, December 5th between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. for free HIV testing. These expanded HIV testing hours are to mark World AIDS Day, commemorated across the globe every December 1. The tests, which are confidential and take just 15 minutes, will be done at 1 Geneva Road in Brewster. Walk-ins are welcome; appointments can be made by calling 845-808-1390, extension 43155.

World AIDS Day calls attention to all people impacted by HIV/AIDS, including those living with HIV who do not know it. The only way to know your status is to get tested. Awareness means you can make informed health decisions to reduce the chances of getting or transmitting HIV. Some of those choices include using condoms the right way every time, using HIV medication to reduce your risk (pre-exposure prophylaxis), reducing your sexual risk (fewer partners and less risky sexual activities), not sharing drug injecting equipment and abstinence.  Additional HIV prevention information can be found at cdc.gov/hiv/basics/prevention.html.