HEALTH 1st to observe National HIV Testing Day

    PRESQUE ISLE, Maine – HEALTH 1st, a division of Aroostook County Action Program, will be observing National HIV Testing Day by offering free anonymous testing at its three health centers located in Fort Kent, Presque Isle, and Houlton during the week of June 25-29.
    Appointments may be made by calling 1-800-432-7881 and asking for the health center nearest you. HEALTH 1st offers oral swab testing for HIV, which is 99 percent accurate, does not require a blood sample, and does not ask for names.
The annual National HIV Testing Day campaign encourages at-risk individuals to seek counseling and testing for HIV infection. It is an opportunity for those who have been at risk for HIV infection and have not been tested, or not tested since their last risk episode, to learn their HIV status and use the test as an incentive to create a plan to reduce risks.
People avoid testing for HIV for many reasons including fear of hearing the test results, fear that test results will not remain confidential, and concern that appropriate health care may not be available if a person is found to be infected. HEALTH 1st can refer anyone with a positive result to the Ryan White Title III Early Intervention Services program. This program provides comprehensive medical care for those with HIV infection and AIDS. In addition, HEALTH 1st offers testing and treatment for other sexually transmitted infections.
For more information, call Wendy Page, community education specialist at 768-3056 (ext. 633) or the health center nearest you (Houlton – 532-5303; Presque Isle – 768-3062; Fort Kent – 834-3513).