Ontario to Use HIV Tester that Gives Results in a Minute

TORONTO- The great, white neighbors to the north may have given the world of health a big boost. The Canadian Press reports that Ontario will be the first city in North America to distribute a new HIV test that gives results in a minute's time. Most HIV tests take up to three weeks for results. Ontario will be host to this new test at 50 different sites across the province, costing $350,000 per year for the testing program.

According to avert.org, 39.5 million worldwide live with HIV/AIDS as of 2006. Almost 438,000 of them live in the United States; 58,000 in Canada. These statistics report the documented cases.

George Smitherman, Canada's Health Minister, approves of the new testing system and feels that the price for the program is worth every dollar. "I'm a gay man, and I'm one of those that has experience that gut-wrenching three-week wait", he told the press. "Everybody remembers that wait, and accordingly, you can't put a price on it." One of the biggest benefits of getting rapid results is being able to treat the patient faster.

Toronto-based Hassle-Free Clinic tried out the program on 5,000 people. 90% of them preferred this method over traditional testing and were pleased with the results.

Anonymous testing sites will first receive the new HIV test. The entire procedure from entry to exit takes about 20 minutes. Statistics show that almost 30% of people with the virus don't know it. Having a quick test at anonymous clinics may help people who are afraid to get tested actually come in and have the procedure performed, thus speeding up the treatment process.

"We understand people may fear knowing the results," said Frank McGee, Ontario's AIDS Bureau coordinator," but getting tested will help alleviate the anxiety and will make a difference in the effectiveness of treatment."

HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. It attacks the immune system in the body, making it harder for the body to fight off infections and viruses. Eventually HIV can turn into AIDS, acquired immuno deficiency syndrome. Once this happens, your body will no longer be able to fight infections on its own. A simple cold can kill a person with the AIDS virus. Presently there is no cure for AIDS.

According to avert.org, 39.5 million worldwide live with HIV/AIDS as of 2006. Almost 438,000 of them live in the United States; 58,000 in Canada. These statistics report the documented cases.

SOURCE:

Keith Leslie, "Ontario To Provide HIV Tests That Give Results In Just 60 Seconds, More Test Sites", Canadian Press.

URLS:

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/070622/health/health_hiv_tests_anonymous

http://www.avert.org