OC Health Care Agency marks National HIV Testing Day, on June 27

For Immediate Release: June 25, 2012
Contact: Nicole Stanfield: 714-834-2178, nstanfield@ochca.com

‘Take the Test, Take Control’

National HIV Testing Day

(Santa Ana) – June 27 marks National HIV Testing Day, which helps promote testing and early diagnosis of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. There are 6,674 individuals reported to be living with HIV in Orange County with over 300 people being diagnosed with HIV each year. There are an additional estimated 1,774 people living in Orange County who have HIV and don’t know it – many of whom will develop AIDS before realizing they are HIV infected.

“Last year, 40% of people who were diagnosed with AIDS in Orange County did not know they were HIV positive,” said Dr. Christopher Ried, Testing & Treatment Medical Director. “On average, they were infected with HIV for over 10 years. Many of these people had been to a medical setting like an emergency room, community health center, or their doctor, but were not tested for HIV.”

Because so many individuals are estimated to have HIV and be unaware of it, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that every adult between 13 and 65 get an HIV test at least once in their life time and those at high risk of infection get a test once a year as part of routine care. Making HIV testing a routine part of medical care will help people learn their HIV status before they get sick and help them get treatment for HIV so that they don’t become sick. An additional benefit to early detection of HIV is that people who know their HIV status are more likely to take steps to prevent spreading HIV to others.

If you have never had an HIV test, ask your medical provider for an HIV test. In addition to medical providers throughout Orange County, the following agencies offer year-round confidential and anonymous free or low-cost testing in Orange County:

· AIDS Services Foundation: Walk-ins only on Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays from 3 to 8 p.m.; and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (949) 809-8775

· Laguna Beach Community Clinic: Tuesdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Wednesdays, 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursdays (except 1st Thur. of the month), 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Saturdays, 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon. There is a charge for services; call for details (949) 494-0761 ext. 145.

· Orange County Health Care Agency: 17th Street Clinic. Walk-ins only on Mondays, Wednesdays, & Thursdays, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Tuesday & Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (714) 834-8787

· The Center Orange County: Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays, 1 to 6 p.m. by appointment only; Walk-ins available on Wednesdays from 2 to 6 p.m.; Thursdays from 3 to 7 p.m.; Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Expanded testing for June 27, 2012 only: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. (714) 953-5428 x208

For more testing sites and information about HIV services in Orange County, call (714) 834-8711 or visit http://www.ochealthinfo.com/hiv. Make HIV testing a part of your routine healthcare; Take the Test, Take Control!

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