ADH expanding local HIV testing efforts

ADH expanding local HIV testing efforts

Marion, West Memphis will host dual clinics as part of national HIV awareness push

news@theeveningtimes.com

Two local venues are set for National HIV Testing Day. For the first time locations in both Marion and West Memphis have been slated for tests and awareness information. Arkansas Department of Health Community Connector Melvin Watson was pleased to announce first ever dual locations in Crittenden County.

“Each year I hear from people ‘why can’t you do one in West Memphis’ or ‘I work, why can’t you do one in the evening?’” said Watson. “We are responding this year with expanded times and two locations.”

Walgreens has been a corporate partners for HIV testing days for seven years. The store provides the place for the health department or community organizations to conduct the new rapid tests.

“We can help you stay healthy,” said Watson. “The first step is to know your status.”

For the first time, the Missouri Street Walgreens will be a setting for testing, on Tuesday, June 27, from 3 to 7 p.m. The Crittenden County Court House will again be a host site for testing earlier the same day, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Free gifts and complimentary healthy food go along with the information tables.

National HIV testing day is an annual campaign coordinated by the National Association of People with AIDS to encourage people of all ages to “Take the Test and Take Control.”

“Too many people don’t know they have HIV,” said Watson. “In the United States 1.2 million people are living with HIV, and almost one in five don’t know they are infected,” said Watson. “Getting tested is the first step to finding out if you have HIV and getting medical care and taking medications regularly helps you live a longer, healthier life and also lowers the chances of passing HIV onto others.”

The new rapid testing is an oral swab test to detect certain anti-bodies and proteins the body produces to fight HIV. It can to take three weeks to three months after exposure to HIV for the body to fight back with enough anti-bodies to be detected in the very accurate rapid testing.

Fourth generation tests also look for antigens.

By John Rech