ACAP to observe National HIV Testing Day
Aroostook County Action Program (ACAP), Health Services Family Planning, will be observing National HIV Testing Day by offering anonymous testing at its three health centers located in Fort Kent, Presque Isle and Houlton during the week of June 27.
Appointments may be made by calling 1-800-432-7881 and asking for the health center nearest you. ACAP Health Services Family Planning offers oral swab testing for HIV, the results of which are 99 percent accurate, does not require a blood sample, and does not ask for client names. There is a small fee of $30 associated with this test.
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.
ACAP Health Services Family Planning can refer anyone with a positive result to the Ryan White Title Part C program. This program provides comprehensive medical care for those with HIV infection and AIDS. In addition, ACAP Health Services Family Planning offers testing and treatment for other sexually transmitted infections.
For more information, call Wendy Page, community education specialist, at 768-3026 or the health center nearest you at 532-5303 (Houlton), 768-3062 (Presque Isle), or 834-3513 (Fort Kent).
