Bloodless HIV testing

The Butte County Public Health Department recently announced the adoption of a new form of rapid HIV (human immunodeficiency virus, which causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, or AIDS) testing that doesn’t require pricking one’s finger to draw blood. Patients taking the new oral HIV test, which gives results in as little as 20 minutes, are asked to swab their outer gums with an absorbent pad which is then tested for HIV antibodies.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately one out of five Americans with HIV do not know they have it, as symptoms can remain hidden for months to years.

“Testing is one of the most important means of stopping the spread of HIV and getting HIV-positive people into early care and treatment,” according to Dr. Mark Lundberg, Butte County’s health officer. “It’s important that individuals know that a positive test result is no longer a death sentence; however, finding out is critical to living a long and healthy life despite the infection and for preventing the spread of HIV to sexual partners.”

Testing is available at the Butte County Public Health clinics in Chico and Oroville Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Testing is free for Medi-Cal/CMSP or Family PACT patients; private-pay also available. Call 879-3665 (Chico) or 538-7341 (Oroville) for a same- or next-day appointment. Go to www.buttecounty.net/publichealth for more info.