Free HIV Testing for Students
October 1, 2013
By Madison Tackett | News Writer
A growing number of students at UK have never been tested for HIV, according to University Health Services, but UHS seeks to change those numbers.
Free, anonymous HIV testing sponsored by UHS will take place Wednesday, Oct. 2 in rooms 357 and 359 of the Student Center.
HIV is a disease college students across the United States need to be aware of.
“Over one-half of college students in the U.S. have never been tested for HIV. That’s about 64 percent of the students here at UK,” said Brandy Reeves, Health Education Coordinator at University Health Services.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends for everyone in the U.S. be tested at least once to know their status.
“In the U.S., one in 500 college students are estimated to be HIV positive,” Reeves said.
The HIV tests administered at UK will be done by the Aids Volunteers of Lexington Inc. (AVOL) in private rooms located in the Student Center.
The tests require no identification and are completely anonymous.
The test is a needle free oral swab test, Reeves said, and results can be expected in 20 minutes or less.
For those who wish to get tested for HIV but can’t make it Wednesday, Reeves said UHS is holding free tests on the first Wednesday of each month during this school year.
“The only way to know if you’re infected is to get tested,” Reeves said.