Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2008. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Miami Herald - June 18, 2008
News release:
NATIONAL HIV TESTING DAY - FRIDAY, JUNE 27, 2008
Broward County Health Department announces FREE Anonymous & Confidential Testing Sites
"IT'S BETTER TO KNOW ... TAKE THE TEST, TAKE CONTROL"
BROWARD COUNTY - The Broward County Health Department recognizes Friday, June 27, 2008, as National HIV Testing Day and encourages individuals who are at-risk for HIV to be tested. This annual day of recognition promotes FREE, CONFIDENTIAL and ANONYMOUS HIV counseling and testing throughout Broward County.
"Making the decision to take the test is the first step to taking personal responsibility for yourself, your partner and your community," said Dr. Paula Thaqi, Director at the Broward County Health Department. "I strongly encourage anyone who does not know their HIV status to take the test today."
Over 35 locations will be available for the community to access HIV testing. A complete listing and hours of operation are provided on the attached flyer. In addition, Churches United To Stop H.I.V. ( C.U.S.H.) will offer free testing on Sunday, June 22, 2008 at several houses of worship.
An estimated 250,000 people in the United States have HIV and are not aware of it. National HIV Testing Day is an opportunity for people nationwide to learn their HIV status, and to gain knowledge to take control of their health and their lives.
A person should be tested if they have been involved with or participated in the following activities:
In addition, all pregnant women, and children who have been born to HIV positive women should be tested.
Testing for HIV has become more accurate and results are obtained in a shorter time. Traditional testing, an oral swab test, can be done which takes about two weeks to receive results, or the rapid HIV test, which requires no more than a finger-stick blood specimen, delivers reliable results in 20-40 minutes. Reactive rapid tests must be confirmed with a traditional HIV test before the person tested can be told they are infected with HIV.
Along with the Broward County Health Department sites; healthcare providers, houses of worship, jails, and a number of community organizations also offer HIV testing and counseling services to individuals.
For more information on free testing sites call the Broward County Health Department, Office of HIV/AIDS at (954) 762-3639 or visit www.browardchd.org.
Download 2008_national_hiv_testing_day_sites.pdf
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Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2008. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.
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