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November 20, 2007 Hayden, ID -- Panhandle Health District (PHD) encourages people to recognize World AIDS Day on Dec. 1 by scheduling a Rapid HIV Test at their local PHD office. The rapid tests provide results in as little as 15 minutes, enabling patients who test positive to start medications before the AIDS-causing virus gains strength. “Tests used to take two weeks to produce results,” said Donna Marshall-Holden, who coordinates PHD’s sexually transmitted disease and HIV program. 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. An HIV test is the only confirmation that a person is not infected. Early detection reduces the risk a patient may unknowingly spread HIV. “Studies show people who know they’re HIV-positive take more precautions,” Holden said. PHD applied for and received a state grant to start the rapid HIV tests because the number of people testing for HIV in the five northern counties is dropping. As of the end of June, Idaho had 933 people living with HIV. Of those, 114 live in the five northern counties. Last year, 209 Panhandle residents tested for HIV through the health district, a paltry amount considering more than 200,000 people live in northern Idaho. “Studies show HIV can be a chronic disease and people don’t think it will happen to them,” Holden said. “They don’t take the necessary precautions. We’re seeing apathy.” The rapid HIV test is similar to a pregnancy test, using blood instead of urine. If test results are positive, blood will be drawn from the patient for a second test for confirmation. To encourage more testing, PHD lowered the price of its tests and is promoting the new rapid testing process. The rapid tests cost from $35 to $55, depending on income. For information, call the Panhandle Health District office in your area:
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