Panhandle Health District

                                                             8500 N. Atlas Road         Hayden, Idaho  83835

www.phd1.idaho.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                      Date:     June 9, 2010                  

Contact:                                                                             Released by: Jeanne Bock, Director                     

Cynthia Taggart

Public Information Officer

(208) 415-5108

(208) 818-7288 (cell)

Free Rapid HIV Tests Available

Hayden – In recognition of National HIV Testing Day this month, Panhandle Health District will offer free HIV testing in its offices in all five northern counties for one day only. Results will be available about 15 minutes after testing.

              Appointments are needed for the free tests. Here are the testing days and numbers to call for appointments:

• June 21 – PHD Bonners Ferry, 7402 Caribou, 267-5558
• June 24 – PHD Sandpoint, 1020 Michigan, 263-5159
• June 24 – PHD Hayden, 8500 N. Atlas Rd., 415-5270
• June 28 – PHD Kellogg, 114 Riverside, 786-7474
• June 28 – PHD St. Maries, 137 N. 8th, 245-4556

              The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that one in five people living with HIV today are unaware that they’re HIV-positive. The CDC recommends that people from age 13 through age 64 include an HIV test in their annual physical exams.

              HIV is passed on 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, 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. People may be infected with HIV and not know it. HIV infection doesn’t exhibit visible signs and it may take years to develop into AIDS. Only an HIV test can confirm that a person is not infected.

              Early detection reduces the risk a patient may unknowingly spread HIV.

              The numbers of people testing for HIV in the five northern counties have steadily increased in the past few years. In 2008, 356 people tested. Last year, 472 people tested, and in the first five months of this year, 207 have tested.

              “That tells me more people are taking care of their health,” said Donna Marshall-Holden, who coordinates PHD’s sexually transmitted disease and HIV programs. “Studies show people who know they’re HIV-positive take more precautions.”

              In the five northern counties, 143 people are living with HIV/AIDS.

              The rapid HIV test is similar to a pregnancy test, using blood from a finger prick instead of urine. If test results are positive, blood will be drawn from the patient for a second test for confirmation.

              For information on HIV testing and counseling, visit www.phd1.idaho.gov.