TRAVERSE CITY — Officials said HIV cases are rising in Northern Michigan-and the newest patients aren’t who you might expect.
At the Thomas Judd Care Center in Traverse City, practice manager Leanne Shannon said HIV cases have jumped sharply.
“We’ve seen a 214 % increase regionally, from a 5-year period to the previous 5- year period.”
Historically marginalized groups that include minorities, the LGBTQ community and low-income populations have often been at the center of the rise in HIV.
But that’s not where doctors have been seeing the newest cases pop up.
“Our new diagnosis were mid-40s to mid-60s,” said Shannon. “They were not people of color, they were people who were hetero-presenting and monogamous presenting. So, they didn’t necessarily fall into the thoughts of needing to be offered HIV testing because they don’t look like they would have the quote unquote risk factors of somebody who would be at risk for acquiring HIV”.
Shannon said that shows HIV doesn’t discriminate-and everyone should consider regular testing.
“We can do same day rapid testing,” said Shannon. “So, you would know within 20 minutes and we have a conversation to answer any questions you might have. You would walk out knowing your status.”
And if the HIV test is positive the Thomas Judd Care Center can help.
“Let’s say you came back reactive, which is the first step of a positive diagnosis, you’re in the space that you need to be to answer all your questions about HIV and be immediately connected, ” said Shannon.
Shannon said many recent patients have unknowingly lived with HIV for years.
“You could have been exposed and acquired hiv almost a decade ago, but not start showing symptoms for a really long time. That’s time that you could be treated and make sure that your body maintains its optimal health. And then also time that you, you know, can prevent transmitting to other individuals. ”
The Thomas Judd Care Center said early testing and treatment are key to stopping the spread.
Free testing is available year-round at the clinic in Traverse City.