The Miami Herald - June 29, 1999
Adam Ramirez - Herald Staff Writer

The 32-year-old Sunrise woman said she was picking up pamphlets on teens and HIV to pass out at her church when a Broward County Health Department employee convinced her to take the test -- pain free.

Heslop was given an oral HIV test, called OraSure. She took a swab, rubbed her cheek and kept her mouth shut for two minutes. And she was done.

"The test was cool -- easy, no pain, it was nothing at all," a smiling Heslop said after the five-minute test. "Now when I'm telling the teenagers how important it is to get an HIV test, I can tell them I even got one."

At least 200 Broward residents received free HIV tests Monday from the Broward County Health Department. The tests were given in recognition of National HIV Testing Day, which was actually Sunday.

The Health Department took advantage of that Sunday by administering about 25 tests at two Broward churches, Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church in Hallandale and Mount Olive Baptist Church in Fort Lauderdale.

"Even one of the pastors got tested," said Donna Nelson, a HIV counseling and testing specialist who organized Monday's mass testing. "We had people telling people about the tests from the pulpit -- and handed out Bible bookmarks with Psalm 25 and our testing sites on them."

Psalm 25 asks for guidance in troubled times.

For Heslop, she was talked into taking the test by health educator Gloria Stein.

"Gloria was great, funny -- set your mind at ease," Heslop said. "I came her to see the doctor and didn't expect to be taking an HIV test. I figured everyone should, so I did."

Stein set up a display at the entrance of the Sunrise (Mills) Health Center in Fort Lauderdale. As people walked by, she handed out female and male condoms.

"A lot of people don't know about all the things you need to have safe sex," Stein said with a female condom wrapped around her fingers. "And they think if they give blood once they don't have HIV. But it doesn't work that way. Not all blood donor centers are required to call you back with test results."

Which is why the county is offering tests like OraSure. They've been using it for two years -- mostly on outreach, field programs.

"I give hundreds of these oral tests under bridges, in nightclubs, everywhere," said Arlete Joseph, a 13-year Health Department employee who gave Heslop her test.

"When I tell people I can do it orally, they really change their tune."

Although National HIV Testing Day has passed, people can still receive free HIV tests, Nelson said.

"They can come to any of our nine testing sites, and if they can't pay the $15, they will get tested for free," she said. "We will turn no one away."

Test results are usually ready in about two to three weeks. People must return to get the results in person -- where a 15-minute free phone card will await them.

The Broward County Health Department provides HIV testing and counseling services at the following locations:

-- Paul W. Hughes Health Center, 205 NW Sixth Ave., Pompano Beach, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., 954-321-3780.

-- South Regional Health Center, 4105 Pembroke Rd., Hollywood, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., 954-985-4844.

-- Fort Lauderdale Health Center, 2421 SW Sixth Ave., Fort Lauderdale, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., 954-467-4893.

-- Sunrise (Mills) Health Center, 900 NW 31st Ave., Fort Lauderdale, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., 954-327-6000.

-- Nova Southeastern Health Center, 1111 W. Broward Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., 2 to 4:30 p.m., 954-463-7313.

-- Planned Parenthood, 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., 3475 N. Dixie Hwy., Fort Lauderdale, 954-561-1905; 263 N. University Dr., Pembroke Pines, 954-963-9889.

-- Gay and Lesbian Community Center, 1164 E. Oakland Park Blvd., 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., 954-563-9500.

-- Children's Diagnostic and Treatment Center, 417 S. Andrews Ave., Fort Lauderdale, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., 954-728-8080, 954-728-1088.

-- Center One, 2817 E. Oakland Park Blvd., Suite 200, Fort Lauderdale, 5 to 9 p.m., 954-537-4111.

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Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 1999. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

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