National HIV Testing Day.

Today is National HIV Testing Day.
You can get your results in minutes and the test is noninvasive.
Knowing your status is important.
I will be going from to different locations to counsel anyone who might test positive.
Knowing your results can prolong your life by several decades if you are positive. Shalom

Is the test free? (just curious)

P.S. I didn't know they can come up with results right away.

Contact your local AIDS service Organization or local health department.
I am at a testing sight now really bored I won't be needed unless someone test positive or wishes to discuss someone who has.
I really hope I'm "bored" all day.
KittenVal the test is usually free at certain places.
Especially today. There is a big push to get people tested and keep AIDS awareness on everyones mind. Shalom

Thank you for info! I sincerely hope you won't see any test positive today!

We tested 50 people today.
We did have 2 people that tested positive.
They are being tested again to see if the western blot also come back positive.
This is a rural area and that is a high number of people that even took the test.
Both young people that tested positive are now being referred to the local Aids service oprganization.
One young woman is only 18 YO.
She was completely surprised and devastated by the news.
I only wish that the young people would listen to the warnings to protect themselves.
Even though I have been volunteering for a while it never gets easy.
Shalom

Aids is a scary thing to deal with, and in such a young age... Very sad...
Another scary one is Hep B. I wonder if they have days for this one too.

Very sad. Doing some fantastic work there, dbarabians. Be safe, everyone.
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KittenVal they do have an awareness month or week for Hep B and C.
Hep C is really going to be a problem in the future as millions are infected here in the US. The treatment for Hep C is very long and the side effects are severe.
Hopefully the two young people will return to be processed for treatment throught the ASO.
Not only for their own health but we have seen that people who do not access treatment ignore not only their own health but that of others.
Denial is an enemy to treatment and prevention. Shalom

EHOD, thanks for the encouragement.
After working with people with AIDS since 85 I have sometimes questioned my own sanity.
Especially in the early years when it was a death sentence.
I do get very frustrated when I see a young person who did not heed the warning.
The " I didn't think it could happen to me" mentality. Shalom

Yes, I could imagine it would be frustrating and rewarding in equal measure. I'm lucky in that my job allows me to make a difference (I do action research on social impact, helping make the case for funding great programs), but if I weren't I'd hope I'd have the compassion and altruism you display to get involved on a voluntary basis.
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