Two methods of testing are available: blood and rapid oral swab. Blood tests are done with a needle; the rapid oral swab test takes a sample of fluid and tissue using a small, flat brush inserted in the mouth and rubbed against the gums above and below the teeth.Tests are either confidential or anonymous. A confidential test means the results are entered onto your medical record and require your name, address and social security number. Written documentation of testing from a blood test may be provided upon request for the person who was tested. An anonymous test means the results are known only to you. No documentation can be provided with an anonymous test.
Both types of tests will include pre and post test counseling to discuss your risk of acquiring or transmitting HIV, how to avoid acquisition or transmission of HIV and what to do should you test positive for antibodies to HIV.
Oral tests
The OraQuick rapid oral swab is free and always anonymous. The biggest advantage of the OraQuick test is that results are available in about 20 minutes, so only one visit is required to be tested, counseled and get your results.
OraQuick testing is available during specific walk-in testing times at the times/locations listed below.
5 to 7 p.m. on Thursdays at the Marguerite Robinson Community Center, 400 W. Sixth St., Newport, Ky.
11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month at the Marguerite Robinson Community Center, 400 W. Sixth St., Newport, Ky.
Noon to 2 p.m. on the second Saturday of the month at the Lane Chapel, C.M.E. Church, 125 Lynn St., Covington, Ky.
3 to 5 p.m. on the third Tuesday of each month at the Campbell County Health Center, 1098 Monmouth St., Newport, Ky.
1 to 4 p.m. on the third Sunday of each month at St. John's United Church of Christ, 520 Fairfield Ave., Bellevue, Ky.
1 to 4 p.m. on the fourth Monday of each month at the Kenton County Health Center, 2002 Madison Ave., Covington, Ky.
If you have questions about rapid HIV testing, please call 859.341.4264, Ext. 2085.
HIV/AIDS Case Management
HIV/AIDS case management services provide support, stabilization and referrals to community resources for persons living with HIV/AIDS and members of their households. Services are available to those living in the counties of Boone, Campbell, Carroll, Grant, Gallatin, Kenton, Owen and Pendleton. Services include: Short-term crisis counseling, housing and utility assistance, assistance with drugs and medicine, dental care, health insurance, transportation, nutritional guidance, links to support groups and volunteers, assistance in obtaining a medical doctor, and referrals for specialized counseling, food, housing and other community services. For more information or for an appointment, call 859.341.4264.
HIV/AIDS Outreach Services
Outreach services are provided to the community to promote HIV testing and counseling, and to encourage HIV Positive individuals to seek case management services. Special emphasis is on the hard to reach high-risk groups, such as African-Americans, Hispanics, substance abusers, homeless persons and the incarcerated. For more information, call 859.341.4264.
HIV/AIDS/STI Prevention Education
HIV/AIDS Prevention and Education programs are available to community, professional groups, and businesses upon request. Risk reduction education is also provided to high-risk groups. For more information, please call 859.341.4264.
HIV/AIDS Professional Education
An HIV/AIDS Continuing Education Update course, approved by the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, is a multidisciplinary class suitable for any of the professional groups impacted by KRS 214.610/615. It is a 2-hour course with a cost of $20, payable on the date of the class. The course is offered bi-monthly. Please call 859.341.4264 or visit the Current Programs page for current date, location and to RSVP. Several online courses have also been approved by the state.
http://hivstopswithme.org/
"ON DEATH...from "The Prophet"
Then Almitra spoke, saying: We would ask now of Death.
And He said; 'You would know the Secret of Death, but how shall you find it unless you seek it in the Heart of Life. For Life and Death are ONE, even as the River and Sea are one.
In the Death of your hopes and desires lies your silent knowledge of the Beyond, like the seed dreaming beneath the snow your Heart dreams of Spring. Trust the dreams, for in them is hidden the gates to Eternity.
Your FEAR of Death is but the Trembling of the shepherd when he stands before the King whose hand is to be laid upon him in Honor. Is the shepherd not JoyFul beneath his trembling that he shall wear the mark of The King, yet is he not more mindful of his trembling.
For what is it To Die, but to stand naked in the wind and to melt into the sun. And what is it to cease breathing, but to free the breath from its restless tide that it may rise and expand and seek GOD - Unencumbered.
Only when you drink from the River of Silence, Shall You Indeed - SING. And when you have reached the MountainTop, then Shall You Begin to CLIMB. And when the Earth shall claim your limbs, THEN SHALL YOU TRULY DANCE'.
-Kahlil Gibran, "The Prophet"
As AIDS Quilt founder Cleve Jones said in 2001; “Our hearts may be filled, but there are only two emotions worth expressing at this perilous time: GRIEF and RAGE. Grief for the millions who have died and are dying. Rage at the indifference, greed, and stupidity that permit this grotesque calamity to continue.”
Indifference, greed and stupidity are also the three major ingredients in the American recipe for what has come to be known as AIDS Complacency. A Cultural phenomena against which every major player in the fight against it has warned us continually for as long as I can remember. Indifference which is rooted in the arrogance that it can’t happen to us, only “the right people”; mainly gays. Greed fueled by the profits, jobs and paychecks from the new industry and bureaucracy it spawned. Stupidity that feeds the intolerance, discrimination, stigmatization and demonization that prevents us from using every means available to prevent future infections as well as diagnose, treat and care for those who already have been.
No comments:
Post a Comment