Family Planning to Hold Free HIV Testing for National Day

June 27th marks National HIV Testing Day.

Family Planning of South Central New York, Inc. will hold free anonymous rapid HIV testing and emergency contraception clinics to observe the day. Ingrid Husisian, Director of Communications at Family Planning Inc., said HIV testing is extremely important.

“As many as 1 in 3 people with HIV don’t know that they’re infected and learning your HIV status is critical to protecting your own health as well as that of others,” Husisian said. “If you know you’re infected you can get the healthcare and medication you need to keep yourself healthy for years and you can help prevent further spread of the disease.”

From noon until 4 p.m. health centers in the cities of Oneonta, Sidney, Norwich and Binghamton will hold the testing open to the public. The centers will also offer a free dose of emergency contraception; commonly know as the “morning after pill,” with proof of age. Husisian said the testing is relatively easy.

“The rapid HIV testing is a painless finger prick for a drop of blood and results are ready in 20 minutes,” she said. “Patients will then receive counseling on how to identify and reduce their risk of HIV infection.”

The press release stated that a Board Certified Gynecologist oversees all medical care.

The locations of the clinics 37 Dietz Street, Oneonta, 37 Pleasant Street, Sidney, The Eaton Center, Suite 208, 26 Conkey Avenue, Norwich and 117 Hawley Street, Binghamton.

According to the New York State HIV Surveillance Annual Report, as of December 2010, 60 people in Otsego County were diagnosed with the virus, 58 people in Delaware County and 67 in Chenango County.

For more information, log on to fpscny.org or call 607-432-2250.