HIV Testing—A Personal View
The availability of HIV testing through OPALGA began in April of this year. Since that time, we have tested 48 people. Of those, three have tested HIV+. Although providing HIV tests is new to OPALGA, it is not to me. Prior to my work at OPALGA, I was an HIV counselor at Children’s Memorial Medical Center, where I worked with women and children. Although working at OPALGA and providing much-needed HIV prevention education is a crucial service in our community, I had forgotten how much I enjoy HIV counseling and testing.
Through this program, we are being given the opportunity to provide targeted risk reduction counseling and to work on a prevention plan that is individually tailored to each client we serve. When we give positive test results to a client, it is certainly a challenge, but we also know that we have given information that may save lives. Hector Salgado and I have been able to connect with people in the community to bring them a service to which they may otherwise not have access. HIV testing is free and anonymous, and results are received in 20 minutes.
According to a report from the Cook County Department of Public Health, from 2001–2005, 99 Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM) were diagnosed HIV+ in West Suburban Cook County, which includes the Oak Park area. Of these men, 30 were Caucasian, 27 were Hispanic, 39 were African American, 1 was Asian, 1 was Native American, and 1 was unknown.
Knowledge is power in the fight against HIV.
OPALGA tests in the community, at bars, and at The OPALGA Center. If you have an event or group who would like testing, you can contact us to set up an appointment. If you would like an individual test, we can schedule an appointment at The Center. We are also available to talk about whether or not you need a test. For more information, please call us at 708-386-3463.