Salt Lake Valley Health to offer free HIV testing

SALT LAKE CITY — The Salt Lake Valley Health Department is offering free HIV testing on behalf of National HIV Testing Month 2010, as rates of new HIV infection continue to rise in Salt Lake County and in the United States.

Roughly 100 new HIV cases are diagnosed in the county each year.

Health officials said the HIV epidemic is far from over and is currently showing resurgence. HIV testing and early diagnosis in the course of infection is the key to positive outcomes and an integral part of controlling the epidemic, according to the SLVHD.

Free HIV testing and education will be available on Monday, June 28, from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at the Pride Counseling Center, located at 124 S. 400 East, Suite 230, in Salt Lake City. Another round will be available Wed., June 30, from noon to 5:00 pm, at the SLVHD City Clinic, at 610 S. 200 East, Room 135.

Test results will be available within 30 minutes. All services are confidential.

Contact the Salt Lake Valley Health Department HIV program at 534-4601, for more information.

— Jasen Lee