New Rapid HIV Test

Rapid HIV tests that give results in minutes rather than days are now available at 18 publicly funded counseling and testing sites in New Jersey, state officials announced Friday.

Rapid HIV tests that give results in minutes rather than days are now available at 18 publicly funded counseling and testing sites in New Jersey, state officials announced Friday.Health officials hope the quick tests will encourage more people who test positive to receive follow-up care. Of the 66,763 HIV tests done at testing sites in 2002, 35 percent failed to return to learn the results.”This new test will save lives,” said Health Commissioner Clifton Lacy.More than 3,000 people have already taken the new tests in one of the 18 centers located in 11 counties around the state. The counties with the sites are: Essex, Hudson, Monmouth, Mercer, Morris, Union, Bergen, Atlantic, Camden, Ocean and Hunterdon.Trained counselors are available at testing sites to meet with people who are tested.For more information or to find locations for the rapid HIV testing, go to www.njhiv.org(Source: Associated Press, August 2004)