BILOXI, MS (WLOX) -
Will more people be willing to find out their HIV status if they can take the test in the privacy of their own home? The federal government hopes so and using $1.2 million to expand a program that provides free home test kits.
Tuesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced funding for rapid HIV tests at drugstores in 24 cities and rural communities. Health officials estimate 1.1 million Americans are infected with HIV and one in five of them doesn't even know it.
Erica Thomas is an HIV test counselor for the South MS AIDS Task Force. She said the Task Force gives a rapid test that tells people if their blood contains antibodies for HIV in about 20 minutes.
"If you go and get a blood test drawn, it does take anywhere from 72 hours to even 14 days if you go through the actual health department," said Thomas. "With this, you'll know immediately whether your sample of specimen was reactive or non-reactive, which is negative or positive for HIV antibodies."
Soon it will be easier for people to test at home. The CDC is stepping up efforts to put free rapid HIV tests in drugstores. But instead of pricking fingers, federal health officials said those tests will involve mouth swabs.
"I think it's excellent especially when you look at Mississippi and you look at some smaller areas, rural areas where everybody seems to know everyone," Thomas said. "People are afraid because there still is a stigma attached to HIV and Aids. People don't want to go to their local health department if all their family and friends work there. What this would do is allow someone to take that first step in the comfort of their home."
The South MS AIDS Task Force does have one worry about the people who test at home.
"The flip side of that is what if the test comes back positive. You want to make sure that person has available access to referrals and resources that support," said Thomas. "That is some very shocking news to receive so we want to make sure that person is not just out there floundering without an adequate support system."
Wednesday in National AIDS Testing Day. The South Mississippi AIDS Task Force will be have free testing at Club Veaux on Howard Avenue in Biloxi from 4 pm until 7 pm.
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