To recognize and promote National HIV Testing Day, Deschutes County Health Services will offer Free Rapid HIV antibody testing on Wednesday, June 27. Rapid HIV Antibody testing allows for people to get their test results within the same visit.

Free HIV Antibody testing will be offered from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. by appointment only at Deschutes County Health Services located at 2577 NE Courtney Drive in Bend. Due to a limited number of tests and test providers, appointments are required. Please call (541) 322-7425 to make an appointment for free HIV testing.

Persons coming for free testing at the Health Services Department can choose between confidential or anonymous testing options. Confidential testing ensures that your identity and privacy is protected. Confidential counseling and testing for HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases is also available through private medical providers. Anonymous HIV testing means that no name or other identifiers are required to receive services.

Routine testing is recommended for all Americans ages 13?64 and those whose behavior puts them at increased risk should be tested at least once a year. Increased risk behaviors include men who have sex with men, persons who inject illegal drugs, partners of people living with HIV, and people who have multiple sex partners.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 1 in 5 people with HIV in the United States do not know that they are infected. According to the Oregon Health Authority, 5,001 Oregonians are living with HIV and an additional 1,329 have the virus, but are unaware they are infected.

To learn more about HIV, including information about risks, please visit www.cdc.gov/hiv or www.deschutes.org and click on the ?Health Services? link. You may also call a Deschutes County Health Educator at (541) 322-7425 with your questions. Your call and all testing results are managed confidentially. For local and national testing sites, visit www.hivtest.org.