For Immediate Release
Friday, June 25, 2004

Contact: Howard Sutter (714) 834-5109

Orange County Health Care Agency Offers Free HIV Testing

(Santa Ana) – Free anonymous HIV testing is available through the Orange County Health Care Agency, supporting the goals of National HIV Testing Day, June 27.

“With today’s advances in testing and treatment, it is important to know your HIV status, and the only way to know for sure is to be tested,” said Mark Horton, M.D., Orange County Health Officer. “Knowing the results earlier helps those who test positive to obtain the health care and information they need to stay healthy longer and protect the health of others.”

In Orange County, the Health Care Agency offers free anonymous HIV testing, and confidential testing for HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases through the Public Health Clinic at 1725 W. 17th Street, Santa Ana. Clinic hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday with extended hours until 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday evenings. For more information on HIV testing services, call (714) 834-8787.

“It’s Better To Know” is the theme of this year’s National HIV Testing Day, since as many as one-third of those infected with HIV do not know they are positive. National HIV Testing Day recognizes the importance of early diagnosis, treatment and risk reduction education to those who may be affected by HIV. “Testing is the only way to find out your HIV status. Someone can look and feel healthy and still be infected,” said Dr. Horton. “To protect your health and the health of others, we urge those who may be at risk to get tested for HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases.”

According to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 180,000 to 280,000 Americans don’t know they are infected with HIV. Every year, an estimated 40,000 new HIV infections occur in the United States, with an increasing percentage of women, teenagers and young adults represented among new HIV infections.

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