FREE HIV TESTING OFFERED BY HEALTH DEPARTMENTS

(11/28/2006)
The Mid-Ohio Valley Health Department is offering free HIV testing through the end of the year.

County health departments all over West Virginia are embracing a federal recommendation that Americans ages 13 to 64 get regular testing for HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.

Health officials say the results of the blood test come back in seven to 10 days.

West Virginia launched the program after the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggested regular HIV testing in September.

The state will review whether free testing will continue.

HIV interferes with immune system function, hampering the body's ability to fight off disease.

The state Disease and Surveillance and Control Division says there have been more than 720 recorded HIV infections in West Virginia since 1989.