It's never been easier to find out if you've been exposed to HIV.
However, mustering up the courage is one barrier.
"Most often when I do talk to people, it requires some courage to actually get up the nerve and come in and get a test because it's been on their mind for a while," said Tom Bertrand, executive director of AIDS Project Rhode Island.
Cost is another barrier.
But at AIDS Project Rhode Island, it's hoping to address both concerns.
"One of the goals of our program is actually to reduce any concerns that people have or anxiety about getting a test," Bertrand said.
It starts with a comprehensive conversation. There's also a checklist to discuss risk factors and possible exposures, then there's the rapid test.
It's nearly perfect in detecting if you've been exposed to the virus that causes AIDS. And it's simple to take.
"Very easy. It's non invasive. It's an oral swab. We don't draw blood," said James Huseman of AIDS Project Rhode Island. "This is a lot like a pregnancy test. There's a window that will show you two lines."
One line is a control line. The other line, if it's showing, means you've been exposed to the virus that causes AIDS.
A swab is placed inside a person's mouth along the smile line. Then, the swab is placed in a container. It takes 20 minutes to see results.
"We'll that's the first step, detecting that, yes, you've been exposed to the virus that causes AIDS. Then we talk about the next step, which would be a confirmatory test. That's the blood test," Huseman said.
The rapid HIV test is anonymous and free, and available through AIDS Project Rhode Island thanks to a grant from the Rhode Island Department of Health.
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