COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency is encouraging the community to use their online scheduling link for curbside, confidential, HIV testing as next Tuesday, June 27, is National HIV Testing Day.
Residents can request an appointment for testing at the agency’s Coldwater, Hillsdale, or Three Rivers locations by going to www.bhsj.org/HIV or by using their QR code.
Medical Director Doctor Karen Luparello says, “Since 1 in 7 people living with HIV are unaware they have it, knowing your HIV status is the first step to prevention or accessing treatment services. With treatment, persons living with HIV can live a long and healthy life. Under proper care, patients can reach an undetectable viral load in six months or less, making HIV un-transmittable (U=U). Everyone should be tested for HIV at least once in their lifetime as a part of your regular annual provider visit. Your provider may recommend additional HIV tests, in following annual visits, if you have risk factors for HIV. In addition to testing offered through the health agency and primary care provider offices, in home test kits are available at local pharmacies.”
The agency clinics can perform lab testing by drawing blood. Rapid testing is also available where results are known in about 20 minutes. All HIV testing is available free of charge at the agency clinics.
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