VISTA COMMUNITY CLINIC: Know your HIV status ---- confidentially

By Ana Palomo of the Vista Community Clinic | Sunday, June 22, 2008 12:34 AM PDT ∞

Did you know that HIV testing can be completely confidential? As protected by law, HIV testing does not require a name or other identifiable information. All you need to know is the importance of getting tested. And testing is important.

HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. This is the virus that causes AIDS. HIV is different from most other viruses because it attacks the immune system, the system that gives bodies the ability to fight infections. HIV finds and destroys a type of white blood cell (T cells or CD4 cells) that the immune system must have in order to fight disease.

HIV is primarily found in the blood, semen, or vaginal fluid of an infected person and is transmitted in three main ways:

-- Having sex (anal, vaginal, or oral) with someone infected with HIV;

-- Sharing needles and syringes with someone infected with HIV;

-- Being exposed (as fetus or infant) to HIV before or during birth or through breast feeding.

HIV is not transmitted through day-to-day activities such as shaking hands, hugging, or a casual kiss. You cannot become infected from a toilet seat, drinking fountain, doorknob, dishes, drinking glasses, food, or pets. You also cannot get HIV from mosquitoes.

To prevent HIV, use a latex condom during sex, do not share needles, and make sure to get tested. Talk about HIV and other STDs with each partner before you have sex. Ask your partners whether they have recently been tested for HIV; and encourage those who have not been tested to do so.

The Centers for Disease Control estimates approximately 1 million people in the United States are infected with HIV and about 25 percent of them do not know it. Everyone can be at risk of contacting HIV, but according to the CDC, those ages 25-44 have the highest risk of infection.

Some people think HIV doesn't happen here. That is not true. People of all ethnicities, ages, genders, sexual orientations and socio-economic status are at risk. Public Health Services of County of San Diego reported that between 2001-2005, 162 individuals in North San Diego County were diagnosed as HIV-positive. Of those 162 cases reported, 86 percent were male. 

National HIV Testing Day will be celebrated on June 27. On this day, initiated in 1995 by the National Association of People with AIDS (www.napwa.org), community based organizations throughout the country will encourage people to be tested voluntarily for HIV.  

Testing options have improved over the past years. Individuals can now opt for rapid testing by finger prick and receive the results that same day. Testing can also be done through oral swabs or a standard blood test.   

Are you ready to be tested? Your private physician should be able to help you. Among other places, testing is also available at Vista Community Clinic sites. For appointments, call (760) 631-5000. Walk-ins are welcome at the Testing Clinic at Vista Community Clinic's Tri-City Branch, 161 Thunder Drive, Suite 103A, Vista. Walk-in testing hours are 1-4 p.m. Mondays and 3-6 p.m. Tuesdays.

If you are HIV-positive, there is help available. At Vista Community Clinic, newly diagnosed individuals can access primary care, case management, psychosocial services, health education and risk reduction counseling. Programs are also available for those who have been previously diagnosed but not currently accessing care. Just give us a call and we can help you connect to care.

Getting tested is the first step ---- a step everybody should take. We encourage everyone to be tested on June 27th, National HIV Testing Day. Know your status. Get tested now. 

Ana Palomo is a project coordinator with Vista Community Clinic. For more on free HIV testing, call (760) 407-1220, Ext. 182 or visit www.vistacommunityclinic.org.

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