Get HIV Information At World AIDS Day Program

The Rockland County AIDS Consortium is sponsoring the World AIDS Day Observance on Monday, Dec. 2nd from 10 am to 3 pm at two locations. The Nyack Library at 59 South Broadway and Nyack Center at 58 Depew Avenue at the corner of South Broadway are both hosting programs. 

Attendees can get facts about HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus), the virus that can lead to AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome). Information will be provided about how HIV is spread, how it can be prevented and the different services available for people with HIV and their families.  Free, private and rapid 20 minute HIV testing will be available.

“We want to raise awareness among Rockland residents that HIV is still here and that it is a disease that requires attention early,” said Dr. Patricia Schnabel Ruppert, Rockland County’s Health Commissioner. “The World AIDS Day Observance is a good chance to learn more about HIV and AIDS, get your questions answered, and get tested.”

The only way for someone to find out if they have HIV is to get tested. People who are not aware that they are infected can be the cause of new HIV infections.  Doctors and the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and AIDS Institute, recommend everyone between the ages of 13 and 64 should be tested. 

How often a person should get tested depends on their risk for HIV infection.  If an individual is sexually active or an IV drug user, he or she should be tested regularly. Early treatment of HIV can help people live longer, healthier lives. You can also take steps to protect other people.

HIV testing is critical for pregnant women because an infected mother can pass HIV to her child during pregnancy, childbirth, or through breastfeeding.  Treatment is available for pregnant mothers with HIV to keep them healthy and to prevent passing HIV to the baby.                                                    

Call the Rockland County Health Department at 845-364-2570 to find out about other places in Rockland to get tested for HIV or call the toll-free New York State Department of Health AIDS hotline at 1-800-541-AIDS to schedule a free HIV test.  

Get more information about HIV and AIDS at www.nyhealth.gov/diseases/aids  and learn more about about World AIDS Day at www.worldaidsday.org