By Melissa Valerie
The reports of a new, more resistant strain of the AIDS virus triggered an ongoing city-wide HIV testing campaign to be extended from Feb. 20 to Feb. 25, according to the New York Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
Leaders of 21 non-profit city organizations, headed by Maurico Iafolla, the coordinator for the Hispanic AIDS forum, are coming together in a collaborative effort to offer as many people as possible the opportunity to receive a free AIDS test.
In a press release, Iafolla said the reports of the new strain should be a wake up call of how rapidly HIV is spreading and its growing resistance to the drugs that are available to help treat it.
Labeled as a “super bug,” the new strain is cause for concern, especially since it is resistant to 19 of the 20 anti-retrovival drugs that are available to help slow down the progression of the disease.
Health officials are trying to understand the new form of the virus after it claimed the life of an anonymous male patient who contracted the HIV virus in late September and quickly developed full blown AIDS.
Health officials said the patient was alleged to be a crystal methamphetamine user and also participated in homosexual relations with numerous partners. This information, they said, was important in determining the factors that may have caused the patient to develop this particular strain of the virus.
Despite the man’s behavior, health officials warn there could be other unknown cases of the virus and the public should be aware.
According to a report from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the first know HIV case was from a blood sample collected in 1959 from a man from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The CDC estimates there are currently 850,000 people in the United Stated infected with the HIV virus, including 180,000 people who do not know they are infected.
New York City health commissioner, Thomas Friedman, said the new strain may be difficult or even impossible to treat. The strain is still too new to scientists, who are studying it very closely before giving a comprehensive diagnosis.
Angelo Luna, the community health educator for the Hispanic AIDS Forum said since the reports of the new strain, there have been increases in the amount of people that have participated in free HIV testing.
“We have seen a number of people tested, most people want clarity, they’re not sure what “a new strain” means,” he said.
Luna also said that testing for the HIV virus is anonymous and done using a swab of saliva, which is then tested for any strains of the virus. Testing results take three to five days.
Once a patient tests positive for the disease they are given a number and reported to the New York City Health Department in order to record the amount of cases in the state. He also wanted to stress people who get tested remain anonymous from the initial test up to receiving their testing results.
“People are afraid that they might lose their jobs or that someone might find out, but it’s completely anonymous,” he said.
While many students on campus may talk casually about sex, many of them became uncomfortable when asked whether or not they were concerned about the new HIV threats and if getting tested was something they had either done or considered.
Wishing to remain anonymous, Eric, a junior, said knowing about the new strain of the HIV virus does scare her a little.
“I take very good care of myself, which definitely reduces the chances to get the disease, but I’m going to be even more cautious,” she said.
Angela, a grad student, who also refused to disclose her last name, said she is very pleased with the amount of facilities that are offering free testing.
“It’s not easy to perform a test and be relaxed, but you have to know, especially if you don’t know your partners,” she said.
The University’s Health and Wellness Center is one of the many testing facilities in the area where students can be tested.
Maureen Houck, the director of the Wellness Center said students can receive STD and HIV testing at the University.
While testing at the Wellness Center is not free, Houck made clear that all testing is anonymous and completely separated from academic records.
Houck said if students feel uncomfortable getting tested at the Wellness Center they can contact the center for information on other testing facilities, like Planned Parenthood or the Suffolk County Health Department that are off-campus.