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COLUMBIA (WACH, AP) -- South Carolina health officials are stressing the importance of HIV testing as part of a national campaign.

Monday is National HIV Testing Day. The state Department of Health and Environmental Control says events are being held throughout this week to highlight the need for HIV and AIDS testing.

DHEC's Janet Tapp says a variety of testing options is available, including a rapid HIV test, which shows preliminary results within an hour.

State health officials say more than 15,000 people are living with HIV in South Carolina. Nationally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that more than 1.1 million Americans live with HIV, and about 230,000 of them are unaware they are infected with the virus.

“Based on the longevity of the virus the fact that someone could acquire HIV but it not show up until seven or more years later”, says Dr. Bambi Gaddist, Executive Director of the South Carolina HIV/AIDS Council.

Each year, more than 56,000 new cases are diagnosed. An estimated 600,000 U.S. citizens have already died from the virus. Gaddist says early prevention is key but education about HIV/AIDS is paramount.

Visit the South Carolina HIV/Aids Council website for more information.

Jim Manning, Director of Program Services with Palmetto AIDS Life Support Services said,” it used to be that people died of HIV, now people are living with HIV long productive lives but you need to know your status early so you can get some of the new advanced medical treatment.” 

Palmetto AIDS Life Support Services is offering free confidential HIV testing Tuesday from 9am to 8pm Tuesday at their clinic at 2638 Two Notch Road.

(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)