DOVER — Knowing your status for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) gives you powerful information that will help keep you and your partner healthy. Free HIV testing will be offered through the Division of Public Health (DPH) at two Delaware state service centers on Wednesday, June 27, 2018, in observance of National HIV Testing Day. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone between the ages of 13 and 64 get tested for HIV at least once as part of routine health care.

“Knowing your HIV status is so important, because there are treatment options available,” said DPH Director Dr. Karyl Rattay. “Additionally, in the event that you are HIV positive, you can take precautions to prevent spreading the virus to a sexual partner or spreading the virus to others by exposing them to your blood.”

The free HIV tests through DPH will be available on Wednesday, June 27, at:

Shipley State Service Center, 350 Virginia Ave., Seaford, from 8:00 a.m. to noon and 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Porter State Service Center, 511 W. 8th St., Wilmington, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

The results of HIV testing are usually available within 30 minutes. Tests are confidential and walk-ins are welcome.

In the United States, HIV is mainly spread by having unprotected sex or sharing syringes and other injection equipment with someone who is infected with HIV. Substance use can contribute to these risks because alcohol and other drugs can lower people’s inhibitions and make them less likely to use condoms.

HIV weakens a person’s immune system by destroying important cells that fight disease and infection. No effective cure exists for HIV, but with proper medical care it can be controlled. Some groups of people are more likely to get HIV than others because of many factors, including their sexual partners, their risk behaviors, and where they live. The only way to know for sure whether you have HIV is to get tested.

“HIV and AIDS remain problems for Delaware,” said Department of Health and Social Services Secretary Dr. Kara Odom Walker, a family physician. “While there has been tremendous amount of improvement in preventing and treating HIV, there is still plenty you can do to stay proactive. Knowing your HIV status is one of the most important things you can do.”

Drs. Rattay and Walker said there are about 3,500 Delawareans living with HIV and an estimated additional 350 people who are infected and don’t know they have the virus.

For more information about testing, contact the Porter State Service Center at 302-777-2860 or the Shipley State Service Center at 302-628-6772.

A person who is deaf, hard-of-hearing, deaf-blind or speech-disabled can call the DPH phone number above by using TTY services. Dial 7-1-1 or 800-232-5460 to type your conversation to a relay operator, who reads your conversation to a hearing person at DPH. The relay operator types the hearing person’s spoken words back to the TTY user. To learn more about TTY availability in Delaware, visit http://delawarerelay.com.

Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware’s citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations. DPH, a division of DHSS, urges Delawareans to make healthier choices with the 5-2-1 Almost None campaign: eat 5 or more fruits and vegetables each day, have no more than 2 hours of recreational screen time each day (includes TV, computer, gaming), get 1 or more hours of physical activity each day, and drink almost no sugary beverages.

BE POWERFUL: KNOW YOUR HIV STATUS

DOVER – This year marks the 20th anniversary of National HIV Testing Day, and on this occasion, the Division of Public Health (DPH) urges every Delawarean aged 15 to 65 to be screened for HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) infection.

Although more than 3,500 people are known to be living with HIV in Delaware, statistics indicate that one in seven of those infected don’t know they have the disease. That means Delaware could have an additional 600 people that are infected, yet unaware that they have the disease. Getting tested for HIV means you are powerful in your own life — you can seek treatment and protect your partners and loved ones from infection.

In April 2013, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) released HIV testing recommendations that everyone aged 15 to 65 be screened for HIV infection. Teens younger than age 15 and adults older than 65 should also be screened if they are at increased risk for HIV infection; and all pregnant women, including women in labor who do not know if they are infected with HIV, should be screened. The CDC recommends an HIV test once a year for people at increased risk — such as gay and bisexual men, people who inject drugs, or people with multiple sex partners. CDC research suggests that sexually active gay and bisexual men might benefit from more frequent testing (e.g., every three to six months). Regular testing allows people who have HIV to know their status, get life-saving treatment and care, and prevent HIV transmission to others.

“Since many new infections are transmitted by individuals who do not know they are infected, undiagnosed infection remains a significant factor fueling the HIV epidemic,” said Bob Vella, HIV Prevention Administrator for DPH. “Getting tested is quick and easy. And if your test is positive, you can seek medical treatment earlier. Early medical treatment can slow the progression of HIV and delay the onset of AIDS. Research shows that successful HIV treatment could reduce the viral load in a person’s bloodstream to ‘undetectable’ levels. This can significantly reduce the risk of HIV transmission.”

Added DPH Director Dr. Karyl Rattay, “Remember that your HIV test result expires every time you engage in risky behaviors like unprotected sex and needle sharing. Once this happens, you have to take the test all over again to ascertain your status. Also, an HIV test performed less than three months after the last possible exposure may miss early infection, hence the need to test annually, especially for those who continually engage in risky behaviors. Knowing your HIV status is empowering. When you know your status, you can take care of yourself and your loved ones.”

Getting tested is easy and quick. DPH has partnered with several agencies to establish multiple testing sites statewide with rapid HIV testing kits that require only a single finger needle-stick and provide results within 10 minutes.

To find an HIV testing location near you for year-round testing opportunities, visit http://www.hivtest.org/.

National HIV Testing Day events in Delaware include:

New Castle County

AIDS Delaware – June 27, 2015
9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
100 W. 10th St., Suite 315
Wilmington, DE 19801
Contact: 302-652-6776

About the event: Get your day started right and know your HIV status. Stop by for a cup of coffee, a doughnut, and a free rapid HIV test. We now offer HIV testing for couples together.

Division of Public Health – June 26, 2015
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Porter State Service Center
511 W. 8th St.
Wilmington, DE 19801
Contact: Robert Watkins at 302-777-2872

About the event: HIV rapid testing for all who wish to be tested. Receive results in less than 15 minutes. Must show picture ID to be tested. Testing is free and all are encouraged to participate.

Beautiful Gate Outreach Center – June 26, 2015
9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Bethel AME Church
604 N. Walnut St.
Wilmington, Delaware 19801
Contact: Tamika Cobb at 302-472-3002

About the event: Following the annual theme of “Take the Test. Take Control,” we are offering free and confidential HIV testing and other health screenings, along with, free giveaways, and food. No appointment is necessary. Valid photo ID is required.

Kent County

Kent County Health Unit – June 22 to June 25, 2015
8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
James Williams State Service Center
805 River Road
Dover, DE 19901
Contact: Michelle Broadway or Andrea Keen at 302-857-5100

About the event: Delaware Division of Public Health will have daily free walk-in HIV testing and counseling on the second floor of the Kent County Health Unit.

Milford Health Unit – Friday June 26, 2015
9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Milford State Service Center
253 NE Front St.
Milford, DE 19963
Contact: Raynard Brown or Kirsten McAllister at 302-424-7140
About the event: HIV testers/counselors will conduct free HIV testing and counseling. There will be educational and promotional items in free tote bags, including information on HIV, AIDS, and suicide prevention. Each person that gets tested can enter their name into a drawing to win one of the four themed gift baskets. The themes are: Movie Night Out, Car Detailing Kit, Pamper Yourself and Fun in the Kitchen.

Sussex County

CAMP Rehoboth Community Center – June 23, 2015
9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
37 Baltimore Ave.
Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971
Contact: 302-227-5620

About the event: CAMP Rehoboth to offer free HIV testing during National HIV Testing Week. The testing is fast and easy. Participants will get their results in less than 30 minutes.

Sussex County Health Unit – Saturday, June 27, 2015
11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Coolspring – in the Community Center
28375 Fisher Road
Milton, DE 19968
Contact: Mary Johnson at 302-515-3251, or Esther Dyce at 302-515-3246

About the event: Coolspring is having a block party. Information will be provided on HIV testing.

Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware’s citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations. DPH, a division of DHSS, urges Delawareans to make healthier choices with the 5-2-1 Almost None campaign: eat 5 or more fruits and vegetables each day, have no more than 2 hours of recreational screen time each day (includes TV, computer, gaming), get 1 or more hours of physical activity each day, drink almost no sugary beverages.

###
Rita Landgraf, Secretary
Jill Fredel, Director of Communications
302-255-9047, Cell 302-357-7498
Email: jill.fredel@delaware.gov

Delaware Health and Social Services – Division of Public Health

DOVER – On National HIV Testing Day, Governor Jack Markell was joined by state officials, state legislators and HIV activists in Dover to sign Senate Bill 162, providing for routine HIV opt-out testing.  SB 162 implements the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendation that HIV testing should be part of the standard battery of medical tests.  The new rule will not only increase HIV testing, but help destigmatize such screenings and cement HIV testing’s place as part of regular medical care.  The bill preserves the opportunity for patients to decline the testing as with most other medical tests.

Delaware consistently ranks in the top 10 states per capita in AIDS cases in the U.S., and as many as 800 people in Delaware may have HIV right now and do not know it.

“The state has made great progress in reducing AIDS-related deaths and new HIV infections, but our greatest concern is the hidden cases,” said Governor Jack Markell.  “This is the next step in our battle to stop the spread of HIV. The sooner people know their status, the sooner they can seek treatment and learn how to prevent the spread of HIV to others.”

A person may show no symptoms at all for many years after being infected with HIV, but HIV is replicating in the body and can be transmitted to others before you even know you are sick. There is no cure for HIV, but effective medical treatment can control the advancement of the disease and can help reduce its transmission to others, including newborn infants.

“This new law will not only save lives as more people are tested, it will prevent the transmission of HIV,” said state Sen. Patricia Blevins.  “I am enormously proud to have been part of its passage.”

Expanding the number of Delawareans tested not only saves lives, but is cost-effective. HIV can be detected by reliable, accurate and noninvasive screening tests through your doctor – or at free testing sites throughout the state. The lifetime cost of treating HIV, on the other hand, is estimated to be as much as $618,900, not including supportive services.

According to the CDC, a series of studies concluded that HIV testing is as cost-effective as other routine screening programs for diseases such as colon cancer and breast cancer.  Preventing the disease and its transmission to others saves lives and money.

Making these changes to the law helps expand HIV screening beyond the traditional, targeted high-risk populations to the general public.  Expanded testing is especially important as approximately 21 percent of people with HIV generally do not consider themselves to have been at risk for infection and so do not seek out HIV testing.  This group contributes to more than 50 percent of new infections.  If Delaware is able to increase routine testing among all populations, it is more likely to find individuals with HIV who do not know it, offer them treatment, and further slow the cycle of infection.

“As the State’s leader in facilitating HIV community planning and HIV/AIDS policy development, the Delaware HIV Consortium is particularly proud to have led the fight to help pass SB 162, routine opt-out testing for HIV,” said Peter Houle, executive director, HIV Consortium.  “The bill will help medical providers by streamlining the testing process, it will reduce the stigma still attached to this disease, assist in early detection and quicker linkage into medical care, improving the patient’s overall health outcomes and further reducing the transmission of HIV/AIDS.  This bill has been many years in coming.  Thank you to all of those who fought for the bill.”

SB 162 was supported by the HIV program of the Division of Public Health (DPH), and more than 40 private organizations from the health care, faith-based, and nonprofit sectors.

To find the closest free HIV testing, visit www.hivtest.org and type in your ZIP code. If you do not have internet access, call 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636). You can also visit the DPH HIV Prevention Program at www.dhss.delaware.gov/dph/dpc/hivaidsprogram.html for additional information.