LB Center Offers Free HIV Rapid Testing
By Denise Penn
The Long Beach Center has officially started a free in-house HIV Rapid Testing Program. Testing takes place in The Center’s newly created Long Beach Pride HIV Testing Lab which was made possible by a grant from Long Beach Pride.
Now, clients who are squeamish about having their blood drawn will have another option. The fingerstick and oral swab OraQuick Advanced Rapid HIV Test are both being used. To perform the OraQuick swab test, the person being tested for HIV gently swabs completely around the outer gums, both upper and lower, one time around. The tester then takes the device and inserts it into a vial containing a developer solution. In as little as 20 minutes, the test device will indicate if HIV-1 antibodies are present in the solution by displaying two reddish-purple lines in a small window in the device. Clients can expect the process to be complete in take 20-40 minutes including an individual counseling session. Anonymous and confidential testing are both available.
Testing will be available Monday- Friday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. by appointment only, and Monday-Thursday from 4 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. for walk-ins. Saturday hours will soon be available. To make an appointment for testing you can call The Center at 562-434-4455 ext. 238.
The Center will be collaborating with the CARE program to enhance their already existing HIV testing program. The two organizations will also work to directly link HIV-positive individuals to medical care, case management and mental health support. CARE has also joined The Center in creating and facilitating a “newly diagnosed” support group: Positive Support, Thursdays from 6-7:30 p.m. held at The Center.
This program is a result of a grant from the Office of AIDS Programs and Policy (OAPP), a division of the Los Angeles County Health Department.