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On National HIV testing day, Wednesday, June 27, Walgreen and several other pharmacies are offering free, rapid HIV tests in a small number of stores under a two-year pilot program in order to make the diagnosis of the virus more convenient to Americans.

"Our goal is to make HIV testing as routine as a blood pressure check," said Jonathan Mermin, M.D., director of CDC's Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, according to release. "This initiative is one example of how we can make testing routine and help identify the hundreds of thousands of Americans who are unaware that they are infected."

The U.S has more than 1 million people living with HIV virus, and 20 percent of them do not even know that they have the infection. People with HIV can live for years together, without even showing any symptoms for the same.

Federal health officials are urging people between the ages of 13 and 64 to get themselves tested for the virus as part of a routine health care.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention especially urges those who are at a higher risk of contracting the infection.

People who are intravenous drug users, gay and bisexual men, or people who have multiple sex partners are recommended to get an annual testing done. Also, pregnant women should undergo the test in order to be able to prevent passing on the virus to the baby.

The CDC says that gay and bisexual men who are sexually active should get the tests done as frequently as every three to six months.

A few recommendations from CDC for National HIV Testing Day, according to Health Day are:

• Asking your doctor for an HIV test or finding a place to get tested in your community. For help in finding a testing place, go to www.hivtest.org, call 1-800-CDC-INFO or text your zip code to "KNOW IT" (566948).
• Getting tested once a year, or more often if a person has multiple sex partners, inject drugs, or are  gay or bisexual.
• Lowering your HIV risk by having sex with only one partner -- someone you know is uninfected. Or using a condom every time you have anal, vaginal, or oral sex.
• Getting medical care as soon as possible if you have HIV to stay healthier longer and to keep from passing the virus to others.

Walgreen has been providing free HIV testing for a few days each year as part of a drive from local health departments and AIDS organizations. This year, 47 Walgreen stores in 20 cities will offer testing from Wednesday through Friday, reported Reuters.