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 Get Tested
Take an HIV test
and take away the anxiety of not
knowing.
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Untreated STDs, especially HIV, cause serious
health problems. |
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Early diagnosis and treatment will help you stay
healthy. |
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HIV
tests are quick, easy, and free at some clinics.
If not, you can pay on a sliding scale, based on
income. |
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Rapid HIV tests produce results in minutes
and are increasingly available at more test
locations. |
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Find a testing site
near you,
CLICK HERE. |
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June 27, 2007 has been
designated as National HIV Testing Day by the
National Association of People with AIDS (NAPWA).
Tears of Hope AIDS Fund fully supports this campaign,
its message and importance, and encourages everyone to
make HIV testing a part of their regular healthcare
routine. |
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To learn more... |
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USA
800-342-AIDS (2437)
www.hivtest.org
www.iknow.tv
www.knowaids.com |
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CANADA
877-999-7740
www.aidssida.cpha.ca
(Canadian HIV/AIDS Information Centre) |
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AUSTRALIA
+61 (2) 9557 8825
800-259-666
www.napwa.org.au
(National Assoc. of People With AIDS-Australia) |
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NEW ZEALAND
0800 802 437
www.nzaf.org.nz
(New Zealand AIDS Foundation) |
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SINGAPORE
+65 62540212
www.afa.org.sg
(Action for AIDS) |
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UNITED KINGDOM
0845 1221 200
www.tht.org.uk
(THT Direct Helpline) |
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SOME FACTS ABOUT HIV TESTING
The Centers for Disease Control estimates that
nearly 1 million Americans are living with HIV/AIDS and
a third of them are unaware of their HIV infection.
(Globally, 95% of those infected don't know it.) Getting
tested is the first step in taking responsibility for
your health and the health of others. |
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HIV TESTING OPTIONS
(source:
NAPWA)
Testing Programs: Voluntary counseling, testing,
and referral programs (CTR) provide people an
opportunity to learn their current HIV status, receive
counseling about any behavioral changes needed to avoid
infection or infecting others, and receive information
and referrals to additional prevention programs, medical
care or other services.
Confidential HIV Testing means you give your name
when getting tested. Only medical personnel or state
health departments have access to the test results. You
must provide written permission before this information
can be revealed to others.
Anonymous HIV testing means that no name is given
to the testing center and only you are aware of the
results. Anonymous testing is available in 39 states,
the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Test results
are given by randomly assigned numbers at the time of
testing.
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HIV TEST TYPES
(source:
NAPWA)
There are several HIV antibody tests being used today.
All testing options are not available in all areas.
Contact your local health department for the tests
available in your area.
Standard blood test: This was the first HIV
antibody test developed and made available, and is the
most widely used.
Oral mucosal transudate test: This test, an
alternative to the standard blood test, uses a specially
treated pad placed in a person's mouth, and gently
rubbed between the lower cheek and gum. The pad collects
an oral fluid. This fluid contains HIV antibodies in an
HIV- infected person. This test does not test for HIV in
saliva.
Urine HIV antibody test: The urine HIV-1 testing
method is a painless, non-evasive option for getting an
HIV antibody test, which eliminates accidental needle
sticks and exposure related dangers, protecting the
patient and healthcare worker.
Rapid HIV antibody tests: Where the standard HIV
antibody testing procedure requires up to two weeks for
results, the rapid test gives results in 5-60 minutes.
Currently approved rapid HIV tests only test with blood.
Other rapid HIV testing methods are in development.
Although the results of rapid screenings will be
reported in point-of-care settings, as with all
screening tests for HIV, if the OraQuick test gives a
reactive (or positive) result, it must be confirmed with
additional testing. |
