Health District offers rapid HIV testing
Press release April 3, 2008		printer friendly

Galveston County and Cities – The Galveston County Health District announces the adoption of the Uni-Gold HIV rapid test as a new service provided by its STD/HIV Program.  

Use of the test was approved by the Galveston County United Board of Health in a recent meeting along with a $30 fee per client for the STD/HIV program staff to perform the rapid HIV test.  The test meets the needs of those in the community who have requested such a service.  

With an estimated one out of four HIV-positive Americans unaware of their infection according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention the opportunities for testing are critical.  

“The sooner you know your HIV status, the sooner you can get treatment,” says Jim Hilton, STD/HIV Program Manager for the District.  “The rapid test is a less stressful, low cost, and more convenient way for people to learn their HIV status.”   

STD/HIV program staff will be administering the rapid tests at their offices in the Island Community Center, 4700 Broadway, Suite C113, Galveston, on Wednesdays from 9 a.m. – 11.30 a.m. and 1 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.  Cash or checks will be accepted for the $30 fee.  

A blood sample will be drawn from those receiving a rapid test and prevention counseling will also be provided.  A preliminary test result will be available within ten minutes.  Confirmatory tests are sent to the state lab in Austin with results normally available within seven to eight days.  

For More Information Contact:
Kurt Koopmann
Public Information Officer
Galveston County Health District
(409) 938-2211 or 409-392-0007
kkoopman@gchd.org