From Anna Johnson at Deschutes County. -hoc
--
The 21st anniversary of World AIDS Day is Tuesday, December 1. This
year, Deschutes County Public Health has partnered with local coffee
shops including Strictly Organic, Thump, and Mocha Janes in an effort
to increase awareness of HIV/AIDS in the community.
Patrons of the coffee shops will receive labels on their coffee cups
and sleeves with educational local, national and international facts
regarding the HIV epidemic on December 1.
Public Health will display an educational table board explaining the
link between drug addiction and HIV acquisition and transmission at
the Life Interrupted event (http://www.bend.k12.or.us/education/components/scrapbook/default.php?sectionid=96
) at Summit High School Tuesday, December 1 at 7:00 p.m.
Deschutes County Public Health reminds citizens each year that HIV
does exist in Central Oregon and there are things the public can do to
help prevent the spread of the virus. People are encouraged to receive
testing for HIV/AIDS, to know their disease status, and take active
steps to control their health if living with the virus.
In Deschutes County, seven new HIV infections were reported within the
last nine months, which is unexpectedly high. Of these, three had
already progressed to full blown AIDS. This means that for almost half
of the newly diagnosed HIV cases, the infected persons were likely
already living with HIV - without knowing it - for as long as five
years or longer.
Deschutes County Public Health offers services for persons living with
HIV or AIDS including case management, sexually transmitted
infections, testing, treatment and follow up, and support classes for
managing this long-term chronic condition.
What You Should Know:
Ø The Center for Disease Control recommends that everyone seriously
consider taking the HIV test at least once. Over 200,000 U.S. citizens
with HIV aren't aware they have the virus.
Ø A new, rapid HIV test gives accurate results in just 20 minutes. The
test is available at several locations in Deschutes County.
Ø The severity of HIV has changed through antiviral medications in the
last 10 years. HIV used to be a terminal illness and now is a
treatable, long-term, chronic condition.
Ø Learning of your HIV status and getting treatment early in the
infection, is critical to living a relatively long and normal life
with the disease. Early detection also helps avoid spreading the virus
to sex or needle-using partners or from an HIV-positive mother to her
baby.
Deschutes County Health Services offers a Positive Self Management
class for persons with living HIV and their partners and/ or family
members. Call 541-322-7425 for more information.
For more HIV/AIDS information, please visit www.cdc.gov, www.worldaidscampaign.org
, or the Deschutes County Health Services websitewww.deschutes.org and
search "HIV Testing."
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