GET TESTED FOR HIV: TAKE THE TEST, TAKE CONTROL!

Testing is simple, easy, free, and confidential and the only way to know if you have HIV

NEW CITY, NY - - Rockland County Executive Ed Day and County Health Commissioner Dr. Patricia Schnabel Ruppert announced today that in observance of National HIV Testing Day, the Health Department is offering free, confidential, and rapid HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) tests on Tuesday, June 27th at the Finkelstein Memorial Library, located at 24 Chestnut Street in Spring Valley. Health Department staff, who speak English, Spanish, and Creole, will perform the tests from 11:00 am – 2:00 pm. No appointments are needed. For more information call the Health Department at (845) 364-2570.

"We encourage County residents to take this opportunity to get tested. An HIV test is the only way to find out if you have HIV. Testing is simple, easy, free, private, and quick, with results in 20 minutes," said Dr. Ruppert.

Why is getting tested so important? Nearly 1 in 5 people with HIV don't know they are infected. This means that they don't get the medical care they need, and that they can pass the virus on to others without knowing it. If you find out you are HIV-positive, you can start taking medicine for your HIV.

HIV infection can lead to AIDS, however not everyone who has HIV progresses to AIDS. Getting treated early for HIV improves your health, allows your doctor to monitor all aspects of your health and treat you accordingly, prolongs your life, and greatly lowers your chance of spreading HIV to others. If you are pregnant, or planning to get pregnant, knowing your status can help protect your baby from becoming infected.

Here are some other ways you can get a free HIV test:

• The Health Department's Infectious Disease Program offers free, rapid, and confidential HIV tests at many places throughout the County, including at the Infectious Disease (ID) clinic at the Robert Yeager Health Center in Pomona. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call (845) 364-2570.
• The Health Department's STI (Sexually Transmitted Infections) Clinic offers free, rapid and confidential HIV tests. For more information call (845) 364-3771.
• The New York State Department of Health has a toll-free AIDS hotline. You can call 1-800-541-AIDS to schedule a free HIV test.

For more information about HIV, including information about testing, visit the Health Department's web page at www.rocklandgov.com/departments/health/programs-and-services/adults/hiv-aids-services/ or call (845) 364-2570.