Engaging in unprotected sex and using unclean needles are not the only reasons to get tested for HIV. Even if you know your sexual partners' pasts, verifying your HIV status is imperative -- and today students can get tested for free.
Promoting HIV Negativity, an HIV awareness group on Grounds, is offering information and resources for students and sponsoring free, confidential HIV testing from 1-4 this afternoon.
"The point of the event is to make sure students know the importance of being tested for HIV, to give them the opportunity to be tested on Grounds and to give them resources that are available in the Charlottesville community," fourth-year College student and president of Promoting HIV Negativity Alyssa Lederer said.
Lederer also said that, according to the Center for Disease Control, half of all new HIV infections are in people under the age of 25 and a quarter or more of all people do not know they are infected.
To make testing more accessible to students, the AIDS Services Group will be doing HIV testing in the Newcomb Hall Commonwealth room.
Lederer said many people think that HIV test involves having blood drawn, but ASG will be using the Orasure test.
"[This] is when they take a swab from the mouth," Lederer said. "[And it] is just as effective as having blood drawn."
Lederer said that one of the main goals of the day is to eliminate the stigma that goes along with HIV testing. In fact, she added, getting tested actually shows you are being responsible and taking care of yourself.
Students also can pick up red ribbons, condoms and brochures at the Promoting HIV Negativity table on the Lawn.
There will be information about HIV and AIDS as well as local resources.
According to Lederer, ASG offers walk-in HIV testing, and the Charlottesville Health Department is the only place in the area that offers free and anonymous testing.
For more information on HIV and AIDS, see www.aidsservices.org.
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