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The Barren River District Health
Department in Bowling Green, Ky., is increasing its HIV testing to include the
Medical Center Health and Wellness Center at Chandler Park. In 2010, the Barren
River Area Development District recorded 265 cases of HIV and AIDS, with 139 of
them located in Warren County. Beginning Friday, January 11, the center will
begin providing free testing from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on the second Friday
of each month. Individuals must pre-register to be tested; those who are
interested should call (270) 745–0942 or (270) 781–8039, extension 154 for more
information.
The center offers rapid testing in
which a gum swab is used to find HIV antibodies in the body. Results are
available in 20 minutes. While awaiting results, center staff discusses risk
factors and possible results, asking how the people being tested may have
gotten HIV. By asking these questions, health educator Ashley Lillard explains
that staff can detect a person’s level of risk and develop a risk reduction
plan for them. Risk factors include having sex, having sex with multiple
partners, or coming into contact with blood. Lillard emphasizes that the test
is especially important for men having sex with men, particularly
African-American men, who are among the fastest growing population with
HIV/AIDS. She urges people to take charge of their health by getting the
correct health education information.
Even if the test does show
antibodies, it cannot be termed “positive” until a confirmation test is
performed in Frankfort, Ky., for which results take 7 to 11 days. Staff meets
with the person one-on-one regardless of the test’s outcome. An indeterminate
or invalid test signifies there is either another virus in the body or
something is wrong with the test. Those who receive such results must return
for testing in four to six weeks. Center staff emphasizes, in regard to people
engaging in risk factors, that negative test results do not indicate that the
person does not have HIV. It is possible the body has not made HIV antibodies
yet—a process that could take weeks. Staff recommends that these people get
re-tested in three months.
HIV testing is still available at
the health department. The cost is $5. For more information about HIV, call
CDC-INFO at (800) 232–4636, or visit www.cdc.gov/hiv.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is
dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and
empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV
virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
