New HIV test at GC&SU
Georgia College & State University will offer a newly approved oral HIV testing at the second annual Student Health Fair Feb. 17.
In partnership with AIDS Awareness Week, GC&SU Student Health Services will be making the test available to students at the Student Health Fair. Booths with additional information and testing will also be available. In addition to HIV testing, services tests for blood pressure, blood sugar and hemoglobin, fat analysis, body analysis, vision screening and nutritional analysis will also be offered.
The test uses a sponge-like device, which looks similar to a toothbrush. The device is placed between the cheek and the gum, placed into a vile and sent to a lab where they will look to see if the virus that causes AIDS is present.
The oral test was approved in March of 2004 by the United States Government and is more than 99 percent accurate, according to the FDA.
“The test is really good because it is faster and easier,” said senior nursing major, Keith Fuoler. “More people will hopefully get tested and it eliminates problems for people who have a fear of needles.”
The results come back about two weeks faster than those taken through the standard blood test for HIV.
The Web site for National HIV Testing Resources includes unprotected sex, diagnosed sexually transmitted diseases and blood transfusions between the years of 1978 and 1985 as some of the risk factors for HIV.
An estimated one-fourth out of about 900,000 HIV-infected people in the United States do not know they are infected, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Of these, about 1 in 500 is a university student, the CDC reported.
“I hope students with risk factors for HIV will decide to get tested now that the test is simple and convenient,” said senior Sarah Rumble.
“If a student has no risk factors, there is probably no reason to be tested except peace of mind,” said Director of Student Health Services Alice Loper.
Students will be given a sheet that will tell them if a follow-up exam is needed with Student Health Services.
Although there is no longer anonymous HIV testing offered at GC&SU, privacy will still be secured. All testing will be done behind a screened off area, and only registered nurses will be administering the HIV tests. All student health records are confidential within Student Health Services.
Testing will be available from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Magnolia Ballroom of the new student center Feb. 17. Refreshments and free giveaways will be available at some of the booths. For more information about the event or confidentiality of testing, contact Alice Loper at (478) 445-5939.
Posted by Colonnade Archives
on Feb 4 2005. Filed under News.
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