30 minutes could save a life, maybe your own

With HIV infection rates on the rise recently, it’s great to know that after hours testing is available in the City of Buffalo. Free rapid HIV testing—tests that only take 10 minutes to provide you with an answer—has been available one evening every week at the Pride Center since it opened in 2003, provided free of charge by AIDS Community Services. Starting in 2006, the Erie County Department of Health has partnered to also provide STD screenings through the Pride Center each week, too. This program has enabled over 1,000 individuals to receive testing in a safe space and at a convenient time.

The relocation of the Pride Center to Elmwood Avenue in February 2009 will allow this program to serve even more individuals each week by moving the program to a more convenient, secure facility. Starting February 3, 2009, HIV and STD testing will be available every Tuesday evening on the first floor at 206 South Elmwood Avenue through this unique partnership between the Pride Center of Western New York, AIDS Community Services, and Erie County DOH.

The tests available include 10-minute rapid HIV (with results while you wait) and 20-minute STD screenings (with results returned in one week). The 30 minutes it takes to perform these tests could save a life, maybe your own. Afterwards, stop by the David Bohnett CyberCenter at the Pride Center and check your email, chat with friends, or get information on local LGBT issues, groups, and activities.

Who should get tested? Anyone who is sexually active and does not know their own HIV status or the HIV status of his/her partners; anyone who uses injected drugs; anyone who has body piercing or tattoos; anyone who has other sexually transmitted diseases; anyone who is pregnant or thinking about getting pregnant; anyone who is thinking about fathering a child.

What should you expect? Upon your arrival, a testing specialist will provide pre-test counseling to you. This counseling includes information about the test, explanation of the consent form, and general HIV/AIDS information. A detailed history of risk behaviors will be gathered. The counselor assistant will then administer the simple test, using a single finger prick. Your results will be available in as little as 10 minutes. Post-test counseling will be given with your results, and will include information about staying healthy, the need for re-testing if applicable, and, if the test results are positive, the next steps for medical care and available services at ACS.

The STD testing takes a bit longer as a professional nurse will assist you in collecting samples to be sent to the DOH and tested for several STDs. Depending on your exposure, several options may be available for vaccines and treatment through the county facilities in downtown. The samples and information take about 20 minutes to collect. While the total time of your visit may take up to an hour, depending on wait time, the benefits far outweigh the time it takes to get peace of mind and protect the ones you love.

For more information, visit www.aidscommunityservices.com or call 847-0315.

—bryan whitley-grassi