© 2024 KLCC

KLCC
136 W 8th Ave
Eugene OR 97401
541-463-6000
klcc@klcc.org

Contact Us

FCC Applications
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Testing For HIV Can Prevent Its Spread

Reference.com

HIV-aids kills more than 13,000 Americans every year. The Center for Disease Control estimates if every person knew their HIV status, there would be a 96 percent drop in the spread of the virus.

HIV testing is quick and painless. A swab of the mouth and twenty minutes later, you know your status. But, it can be scary. Advocates like Tyler Boyet get that.

Boyet: “First off it’s important to congratulate people who are coming in for testing because it’s a big step.”

Boyet is a prevention manager with HIV Alliance.

Boyet: “And then maybe to ease that fear, I’d want to tell them that if the test were to be positive, it’s better to be positive now than it was to be positive in the early 80’s. There are a plethora of medications available now. And being positive and knowing so you can prevent spreading it to any of your partners or your loved one.”

Boyet says with knowledge comes power. If a person tests positive for HIV, they can then begin treatment. Last year, Lane County reported 11 new positive cases. Those at greatest risk for HIV are men who have sex with men, people using IV drugs and those who exchange sex for needs.

Tiffany joined the KLCC News team in 2007. She studied journalism at the University of Missouri-Columbia and worked in a variety of media including television, technical writing, photography and daily print news before moving to the Pacific Northwest.