News

December 1, 2009

AIDS event stresses testing

21-day campaign in area urges checking for human immunodeficiency virus.

By Andrew M. Seder aseder@timesleader.com
Times Leader Staff Writer
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Today, as World AIDS Day is marked, more than half of those affected by the virus don’t even know they have it.

To increase awareness of the illness, the Wyoming Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross has begun a 21 Days of Christmas campaign urging people to get tested for human immunodeficiency virus. And the state Health Department also has started a campaign trying to encourage testing.

“Getting tested is the only way to know your health status, and knowing your status is the only way to ensure you receive proper treatment,” said Department of Health Secretary Everette James. “We are working to educate the public and ensure that prevention, testing, treatment and counseling services are readily available across the state.”

Locally, the Red Cross office at 256 N. Sherman St. in Wilkes-Barre will offer free testing Monday through Fridays through Christmas. Any one who gets tested will be registered for a raffle that awards five winners a holiday food basket, clothing and a gift card.

In addition, the chapter’s Prevention Education Department is holding 15-minute education meetings called HIV 101. Anyone who comes in and asks for a sit-down with a prevention counselor will receive a gift. No appointment is necessary, and if you need to schedule an after- hours appointment they are available. Call 823-7161 for information.

Mark Innocenzi, the director of the prevention education department, said the aim is to test one person a day through the end of the month.

“Our goal is to have someone spend 10 to 15 minutes with us and while they’re here say ‘I’d like to have a test,’ ” Innocenzi said. He said the confidential test is a simple oral swab and the results will be ready in two weeks. If the results come back positive for HIV, “then we’ll sit and counsel them about what the next steps are.”

More than 1 million people in the United States are living with HIV/AIDS, with more than 55,000 new infections diagnosed each year. In Pennsylvania, 2,272 new HIV/AIDS cases were diagnosed and reported during 2008. Innocenzi said between half and three-quarters of those with the virus know they have it.

He said it’s imperative that someone with high-risk behaviors be tested for their own health and the health of others. He identified those behaviors as unprotected sex, using drugs by injection and sex with a partner or partners that have not been tested.

Andrew M. Seder, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 570-829-7269.

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