National HIV Testing Day is challenging people to take control of their lives on June 27 by getting tested for the HIV and AIDS virus.

HIV/AIDS is a disease that destroys the body's ability to protect itself from getting sick. HIV is the virus that causes AIDS.

Pennsylvania has seen an increase in AIDS cases in the past five years, said Angie Merchant, coordinator of the AIDS Service Program, a division of Family Planning Services, Sharon, which promotes awareness, prevention and compassion for those infected or affected by the virus.

According to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Pennsylvania has the seventh largest number of people being infected with HIV. Mercer County ranked 34th among Pennsylvania's 67 counties for the highest cumulative AIDS cases at a rate of 57 between 1980 and 2002.

"Mercer County is not exempt from HIV," Ms. Merchant said.

Most statistics don't accurately reflect the number of people who are affected because people with HIV or people who don't know their status aren't reported, she said. National HIV Testing Day aims to curtail the numbers by encouraging people to learn their status.

Many people are afraid of knowing whether they are HIV positive and purposefully avoid taking the test, she said.

"I want people to know you can live many years without any symptoms," Ms. Merchant said.

She said many people avoid taking the test because they either don't recognize that they have risky behavior or they don't know what the risky behaviors are.

The fear of not wanting to know could give HIV "more of a foothold to cause damage in their system," she said.

"By the time they find out, their immune system is weak," she said. "The goal is to get the word out and let people know what's available for them."

Ms. Merchant said many people are confused by the modes of transmission, which contributes to the problem. She said the main two ways that people get infected with HIV is through drug use, particularly intravenous drug use and sexual activity, but there are many other ways for a person to get infected. A mother who is HIV positive can also transmit the virus to her unborn child or through breast milk. Some ways include getting tattoos or piercings, she said.

"People shouldn't share razors or toothbrushes either," Ms. Merchant said.

She said many people are also under the impression that HIV and AIDS is a gay virus. Though gay men make up the largest group of AIDS cases, infections are on the rise in other groups as well.

In Mercer County the number of people with AIDS increased from two in 1997 to five in 2001, according to the Bureau of Health Statistics and Research, and the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

In the United States, blacks accounted for 38 percent of total AIDS cases from 1985 to 2000, AIDS increased from 7 to 25 percent in the proportion of women; and people under the age of 25 are estimated to make up half of all new HIV infections in the United States. HIV remains a leading cause of death among young people, according to the Center for Disease Control.

Ms. Merchant said there are several other misconceptions people have about HIV, believing it can be contracted through mosquito bites, touching doorknobs, shaking hands, kissing or eating off the same utensils of someone with the virus.

"HIV positive people can be sitting in your classroom, at your dining room tables or at your family picnic and you'd never know it. You just need to know how to protect yourself."

Free testing is available every Tuesday at Family Planning Services of Mercer County, 87 Stambaugh Ave., Sharon. Testing is free and confidential, and walk-ins are always accepted. (724)981-6250.

Appointments can also be made at Family Planning Services in Greenville or Grove City.