Rapid HIV Tests for World AIDS Day

Head & Hands Touts Importance of HIV Testing

NewsAudrey Folliot — Published December 2, 2011

Head and Hands, a youth organization with a preventive, non-judgmental and holistic approach to helping people, held a rapid HIV testing clinic at their NDG location for World AIDS Day on Dec 1.

Anyone who might have been a little nervous about getting tested for HIV instantly feels at home when going through the door of Head and Hands.

The staff is extremely welcoming, and the place is very colorful. A condom-filled glass jar sits on the table among a bowl of cookies and other snacks for those coming to the clinic.

“World AIDS Day is just a day to talk about HIV and AIDS and how it’s very prevalent in society,” said Sarah Odell, the fundraising and event coordinator for Head and Hands.

“We do the clinic here for World AIDS Day to break down the negative stigmas around getting tested.”

With traditional HIV testing, a vile of blood needs to be drawn and the results usually takes two weeks to come in. Rapid HIV testing, on the other hand, involves only a pinprick in the finger for a couple drops of blood, and only takes around thirty seconds for results.

“For those who might not have a fixed address or a number they can be reached at, it is a lot more accessible,” said Odell.

The test has a very high accuracy rate, but every positive result still has to be double-checked. Results and personal information remain strictly confidential.

Head and Hands is a youth organization with a preventive, non-judgmental and holistic approach that offers medical, legal and social services to people between 18 to 25 years of age. The organization also offers a support program for young parents, and a youth drop-in center.

To learn more about rapid HIV testing and programs offered at Head and Hands, visit their website , call 514-481-0277 or visit them at 5833, Sherbrooke St. West in NDG.