Health District Offers Free Oral HIV Tests for National HIV Testing Day

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
June 27, 2005

(Las Vegas, Nev., – June 27, 2005) – The Southern Nevada Health District Office of AIDS, in collaboration with the Las Vegas Outreach Team, will offer free HIV testing in support of National HIV Testing Day. This year’s theme, “take the test — take control,” highlights the critical role of testing in the prevention and treatment of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.

“Testing is one of the best weapons we have in combating HIV and AIDS,” said Dr. Donald Kwalick, chief health officer for the health district. “It’s the only way to truly know whether you have the virus” said Kwalick.

Local testing events utilize an oral HIV test. This type of test in administered by swabbing saliva from the inside of the mouth, and does not involve needles. Free testing will be offered June 27, 2005 at the following locations:

Ravenholt Public Health Center, Annex A
625 Shadow Lane
Las Vegas, NV 89106
8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Goodtimes Bar
1775 E. Tropicana Ave
Las Vegas, NV 89119
11 p.m. to 3 a.m.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate as many as one million people in the United States are living with HIV. Of those, as many as 280,000 may be unaware they are HIV positive.

Cumulatively in Clark County, as of May 2005, there have been over 2,900 diagnosed cases of HIV and over 4,200 diagnosed cases of AIDS. Of the diagnosed AIDS cases, more than 2,200 people have died.

For more information, contact Cherie Filler-Maietta with the Southern Nevada Health District Office of AIDS at (702) 759-0726 or Lane Olson with Project Upfront at (702) 595-6647.

Visit the Media Contacts webpage for media related inquiries.

The Southern Nevada Health District serves as the local public health authority for Clark County, Boulder City, Henderson, Las Vegas, Mesquite and North Las Vegas. The agency safeguards the public health of the community’s residents and visitors through innovative programs, regulations, and initiatives focused on protecting and promoting their health and well-being. More information about the Health District, its programs, services, and the regulatory oversight it provides is available at www.SNHD.info. Follow the Health District on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.