 "Photo: Photo Illustration by Nick Kneer / IC")
The University of Toledo has extended its HIV testing services to Main Campus to make it convenient for any student wanting to get tested for the disease to do so in a confidential and supportive setting.
HIV testing will be offered the first Monday of each month from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Ruppert Health Center on the Health Science Campus; and the third Monday of each month from 4 to 6 p.m. in the Student Medical Center on the Main Campus.
“We want students to realize that by detecting HIV early on, it will help in their treatment, it will help the disease from spreading in your own body, and to others,” said Ann Locher, the HIV Clinical Coordinator at UT.
Tavis Glassman, an assistant professor of health and rehabilitative services, said it is crucial for college students to realize the threat of HIV and the importance of getting tested. According to the Lucas County Health Department, 16 percent of people in Lucas County from age 15 to 24 were diagnosed with HIV from 2005 to 2007.
Glassman said people should get tested for HIV any time they get a new sexual partner.
“The percent of sexually active people will increase from high school to college,” he said. “Unless the person you sleep with is going to be your life partner, you should always use a barrier. If you start seeing someone else you should be tested, and you should encourage your new partner to also get tested.”
Glassman said he urges students to take advantage of the free and convenient testing that UT is offering.
“Being tested will relieve any anxiety you have about your status and will prevent further infection,” he said.
According to Locher, HIV is a disease that can be manageable with the correct medicine and diet, but the importance of early detection is crucial in order for those infected with the disease to have a normal life.
The HIV tests use a simple cotton swab to take a sample from the inside of the person’s mouth, and the test results are available within 20 minutes, according to Glassman.
“With the new technology, we no longer have to draw blood to see if someone is HIV positive,” Locher said. “Now you can’t blame not being tested on being afraid of needles.”
According to Locher, if the test results are positive they will immediately start the stabilization process.
UT has various support systems for those who test positive and will help with how to manage diet and daily demands of the disease treatment process, and if the test result is negative, the students will be provided information about how to keep themselves from contracting the disease in the future, Locher said.
Lindsey Miller, a freshman majoring in English, said she feels people between the ages of 18 to 25 no longer look at HIV as a problem.
“There are shows about girls who are pregnant and people with drug problems, but there isn’t anything about HIV or AIDS on TV today,” Miller said. “I think if it was in the media more, people would care more.”
Aubrey Salsbury, a freshman majoring in biology, agreed.
“This is definitely an important issue to know about,” Salsbury said. “People have to use the media as a way to spread awareness.”
According to the Lucas County Health Department, women in the Lucas County area have a higher diagnostic rate for HIV than other metropolitan areas in Ohio.
“I feel like UT doesn’t do much to spread awareness,” Miller said. “You see H1N1 posters all over the place, but not a single HIV poster.”
According to Locher, the Center for Disease Control suggests people between the ages of 15 and 64 be tested for HIV numerous times throughout their lives.
“Everyone should acknowledge the possibility that they could contract this disease,” she said. “With these easy tests, convenient location and hours, and the confidentiality of the medical centers, there is no reason you shouldn’t be tested.”
Locher said the only way to decrease the percentage of people living with HIV is for people to know their status, stay educated on how they can contract the disease and decrease the stigma that goes along with HIV because the disease is preventable.
“Ignorance is not bliss in this case,” Salsbury said. “People need to realize [HIV] is still a big issue.”
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