AIDS Center to test on South

   The AIDS Outreach Center will give free, confidential HIV testing to students next week.
   The testing, provided for youth and young adults ages 13-24, will be in the SSTU Bluebonnet Room on South Campus Wednesday, April 7, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
   “ People do not realize how common AIDS really is,” Daneshe Williams, a representative of the AIDS Outreach Center, said.
   AIDS may not be rising in the United States, Williams said, but it is still in existence.
   “ It’s good to know your status not only for yourself, but for others whom you may have relationships with,” she said.
   According to Williams, the more people who take the HIV test, the better the odds of decreasing the spread of AIDS.
   The test is not only free but also an easy process.
   The test is given by simply pricking the end of the finger and obtaining five droplets of blood to fill a specially designed card. The card will later be sent to a lab to have the test performed. Williams said the test does not consist of drawing blood and is painless when compared to a shot.
   The results are confidential, Williams said, protected by law just like all medical records. The results cannot be released to anyone except the person tested.
   Results from the April 7 testing will be available no sooner than April 28. Those tested must make an appointment to obtain their results. No results will be given over the phone, Williams said.