Free Hepatitis C And HIV Testing Event
WHAT: Free Hepatitis C and HIV TestingWHEN: Saturday, October 16, 2004
11:00 am to 5:00 pm
No Appointment neededWHERE: Broome County Health Department
225 Front Street, Binghamton, New York 13905
Free Parking, #7 & #8 Broome Transit Buses
BINGHAMTON, NY - Free testing for Hepatitis C and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) will be offered at an October 16, 2004 testing event sponsored by the Broome County Health Department and the Southern Tier AIDS Program. The event will be held from 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. at the Health Department at 225 Front Street, Binghamton. No appointments are needed.
People who are tested for Hepatitis C will get a gift card to an area merchant. The Hepatitis C test is a blood test and results come back in about two weeks. Rapid HIV testing involves a finger prick. The results are ready in 20 minutes and they are very accurate.
Hepatitis C affects liver function, and can cause cirrhosis and liver cancer. Many people who have Hepatitis C or HIV are unaware that they are infected because they may have no symptoms for many years.
Certain behaviors put people at more risk for getting Hepatitis C and HIV. If you do any of the following things, you should consider getting tested:
- Intravenous Drug Use (IDU);
- Tattooing or body piercing, and/or;
- Unprotected sexual contact.
Participants at the event can get information about Hepatitis, HIV/AIDS and STDs. "The Dragonslayers," a local Hepatitis C support group, and medical/social service providers will be on hand to answer questions and provide community health referrals. Refreshments will be served throughout the afternoon.
For more information, please call the Broome County Health Department at 607.778.2839, or Southern Tier AIDS Program at 607.798.1706 or 800.333.0892.
CONTACT:
Diane O'Hora, Director of Health Education
Broome County Health Department: 607.778.3921
email: jcchytilo@co.broome.ny.us
Southern Tier AIDS Program: 607.798.1706
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