HIV testing wraps up

The Student Health Center offered free testing

PAULA BARRANTES & GABY SORIANO Staff

Free HIV test for students were provided by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) in front of the Student Service Building from March 21 to 24.

Director of the Student Health Center Beth Benne said she organized the testing in part to increase awareness and offer useful information.

“I think it’s a wonderful opportunity for a free STI test, this test is for HIV and AIDS, which are pretty important life changing diagnoses because they are not curable,” Benne said. Results are tested with a drop of blood from a finger prick and can also test for antibodies.

“We know that young people are having unprotected sex because they come in for STI testing all the time and they come in for pregnancy testing,” Benne said. “I think it is a matter of providing any opportunity I can for any free testing.”

Diseases like HIV and AIDS are life threatening and people may not be aware of the seriousness of these diseases and how they can affect not only their life, but their partner’s too.

“Early intervention is the biggest thing, also the safety of your partners, early intervention diagnosis leads to a more positive prognosis,” Benne said. Testing counselors were on site to