National HIV Testing Day highlights need for gay and bisexual men to get tested regularly More important than ever as HIV infections and STDs continue at high rates in community

Wednesday, June 23, 2004

KING COUNTY, WASHINGTON - At a time of concerning local HIV infection rates among some groups, Public Health - Seattle & King County is urging testing for everyone at risk for infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). National HIV Testing Day is set for Sunday, June 27, 2004.

"Knowledge is power. If you have a history of HIV risk behavior, take control of your life by testing for HIV," said King County Executive Ron Sims. "If you haven't been tested recently and are at risk, now is the time to do it."

"Testing is key to our local HIV prevention efforts, and many local testing options are available," said Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels. "A decision to test can help save your life and the lives of others."

Knowledge of one's HIV status is one of the most important prevention tools. Several thousand King County residents and an estimated quarter of a million people in the United States have HIV infection, but do not know it. Persons who know of their HIV infection can obtain health care and may be prescribed medications to keep themselves healthy and well for years. They also can take steps to avoid passing the infection to others.

"Regular and frequent HIV testing is of utmost importance for men who have sex with men, injection drug users, and others in our community at higher risk for HIV infection," said Dr. Alonzo Plough, Director of Public Health - Seattle & King County. "HIV testing, paired with consistent condom use and disclosure of HIV status to partners, is key to preventing the spread of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases."

HIV is a lifelong infection and the cause of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). All people infected with HIV can spread it to others through unprotected sex, sharing needles, and donating blood or organs. Infected mothers can also spread HIV to newborns, although modern treatments practically eliminate this mode of transmission.

Updates on HIV and STD rates in King County

Locally, Public Health remains concerned about HIV rates, particularly among men who have sex with men (MSM), as case numbers and rates of sexually transmitted diseases (STD) and risky sexual behavior for HIV among MSM are at very high levels and continue to increase.

As reported previously, among gay men tested for HIV at Public Health locations, the number of new HIV cases rose by 40% from 2001 to 2002. In 2003, and so far in 2004, the number of new HIV cases is staying at this new, higher level.

Rates of other STDs-in particular syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydial infection-have been rising steadily in King County MSM since the mid-1990s. The upward trend continued in 2003 and 2004. HIV is much more easily transmitted in the presence of other STDs, and these infections often produce serious illness by themselves.

A telephone survey, conducted by Public Health, found that at least 80% of Seattle MSM routinely use condoms, know and disclose their HIV status to their partners, or follow other safer sex guidelines. "The other 20% are the ones getting and transmitting HIV and other STDs," said Dr. Bob Wood, Public Health's HIV/AIDS Program Director, himself an HIV-infected gay man. "The norm in our community is sexual safety."

Regular and frequent testing for HIV and other STDs for those at risk is central to our community's strategy to address these high and increasing levels of disease. In addition, Public Health encourages community leaders, prevention agencies, and members of the MSM community themselves to strongly promote HIV & STD status disclosure, the consistent use of condoms, and reduced numbers of intimate contacts.

Public Health also encourages the local MSM communities to build on strengths by encouraging all MSM to adopt the norms that 80% of the community follows in routinely making safer sexual choices.

Testing options

"HIV tests are highly accurate and better than ever before," said Wood. "Testing usually involves a simple blood draw, but can now be done in a variety of ways, including tests on oral fluids and rapid testing using a finger stick drop of blood."

For information about HIV testing or to make an appointment, call Public Health's HIV/STD Hotline at 206-205-7837 or 800-678-1595 (open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday - Friday). Information is also available at: http://www.metrokc.gov/health/apu/resources/testing.htm

On HIV Testing Day, Sunday, June 27th, the Public Health HIV/AIDS and STD Programs will sponsor a booth along the Gay Pride Parade route where staff will be offering free, confidential or anonymous testing for HIV and other STDs for high risk individuals.

Public Health - Seattle & King County began providing anonymous and confidential HIV testing in 1985, and has expanded these efforts, particularly for gay and bisexual men, injection drug users and people of color. In addition to the STD Clinic at Harborview Medical Center and other Public Health clinics, Public Health staff provides HIV counseling and testing at local correctional facilities, community partner sites and other outreach venues.