Panhandle Health District

                                                            8500 N. Atlas Road         Hayden, Idaho  83835

www.phd1.idaho.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                      Date:     November 22, 2010                   

Contact:                                                                        Released by: Lora Whalen, Director                     

Cynthia Taggart

Public Information Officer

(208) 415-5108

(208) 818-7288 (cell)

Free HIV Testing to Help Prevent Spread of Virus

Hayden—In recognition of the 22nd anniversary of World AIDS Day, Panhandle Health District (PHD) will offer free HIV testing by appointment Dec. 1st through the 8th in its offices in Boundary, Bonner, Kootenai, Shoshone and Benewah counties.

              The tests are available to people from age 13 through 64. Rapid HIV tests require a simple stick to the finger and provide results in as little as 15 minutes.

              “Studies show people who know they’re HIV-positive take more precautions,” said Lisa Cramer, who coordinates PHD’s sexually transmitted disease and HIV program. “We want the HIV rate to go down.”

              As of March 31, 2010, 143 people were living in the five northern counties with HIV or AIDS out of a total of 1,230 people with HIV or AIDS living in the state. This year, 337 people tested at PHD to see if they have HIV; 315 of these tests were Rapid HIV tests (finger sticks) and 22 were tested with a blood draw sample.

              HIV, the human immunodeficiency virus, attacks the immune system that enables our bodies to fight infections. AIDS, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, is the final stage of HIV infection.

              HIV spreads through contact with the blood, semen, vaginal fluids or breast milk of an infected person. Unprotected sex with an untested partner places a person at high risk of HIV exposure. Sharing syringes and needles can expose a person to blood infected with HIV. Infected women can pass the virus to their babies during pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding.

              A long-term, mutually monogamous sexual relationship with a tested partner is the best prevention to HIV exposure. Latex condoms and not sharing syringes and needles also offer some protection.

              The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that more than 1 million people in the United States are living with HIV/AIDS. About 20 percent of those people are unaware of the infection, which is a risk to them and others. The CDC recommends routine HIV screening for adults and adolescents.

              HIV symptoms often aren’t apparent for many years after the infection. Testing is the only way to know about an infection for certain. The rapid HIV test is similar to a pregnancy test, using blood instead of urine.

              PHD offices will offer free testing by appointment the following dates:

• Dec. 1 – PHD Hayden, 8500 N. Atlas Rd., 415-5270
• Dec. 1 – PHD St. Maries, 137 N. 8th, 245-4556
• Dec. 2, 3 – PHD Sandpoint – 1020 Michigan, 263-5159
• Dec. 8 – PHD Bonners Ferry, 7402 N. Caribou, 267-5558
• Dec. 8 – PHD Kellogg, 114 Riverside, 786-7474

             North Idaho AIDS Coalition will offer free HIV testing Nov. 29 through Dec. 3. NIAC will test at North Idaho College Dec. 1 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Call 665-1448 for an appointment.