AEGiS-Miami Herald: AIDS Tests Under Way at 4 Clinics

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1985. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

AIDS Tests Under Way at 4 Clinics

Miami Herald - Tuesday, July 16, 1985
Mary Johnson, Herald Writer

Four Palm Beach County Health Department clinics began confidential testing Monday for antibodies that may indicate exposure to the AIDS virus. About 50 people have made appointments for the test, officials said. "We are not encouraging anyone to come in and take the test. We are merely providing a service to keep people from going to the blood banks and getting it done," said Charlene Williams, senior nurse with the Health Department's division of epidemiology and disease control.

The test used by the Belle Glade, Delray Beach, West Palm Beach and Lantana clinics does not detect AIDS directly. "No such test exists," Williams said. "This test, if positive, means the person has probably been exposed to the HTLV-III virus, which researchers have discovered to be the probable cause of AIDS." A positive test means antibodies to the HTLV-III virus were found in the person's blood. "Most people who have the antibody will never develop AIDS," Williams said. Williams said tests would be given on an as-needed basis throughout the county. The clinics are financed by a state grant to 17 counties, she said. The confidential testing is scheduled by appointment only, and a voluntary fee of $20 will be charged for the test and counseling. The numbers to call for testing appointments are: 837-4891 in West Palm Beach, 924-2114 in Belle Glade and 272-0511 in Delray Beach
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