The Vera W. Thomason Health Center is offering a new service to Southeastern students – free human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing and counseling.

The Health Center would previously direct students to the Volunteers of America (VOA) in Mandeville, La., for testing, but now the VOA is coming to Southeastern’s campus.

“Former Director Vera Williams and current Director Michelle Reed have been working with the VOA trying to bring this program on campus for a year and a half,” said Melissa Jacob, administrative assistant of the University Health Center.

All students are eligible to be tested. Jacob recommends examining to anyone who has ever engaged in sexual intercourse, simply to ensure that he or she is informed of his or her condition.

“When you have sex, not only are you sleeping with that person, but also everyone that person has ever slept with,” said Jacob. “Getting tested is good for peace of mind and just knowing where you stand with the situation. Know your status! HIV can lie dormant for many years without symptoms.”

Awareness of infection is important so that treatment can begin. Also, it is not often that one knows the status of his or her partner’s partners.

“Counseling may be necessary for those who receive positive results, but if someone comes back positive, the swab will be sent to a lab for confirmation,” said Jacob.    

According to Jacob, as of September 2010, a cumulative total of 30,555 HIV/AIDS cases were been reported in Louisiana. Nationally, Louisiana ranked fourth highest in AIDS case rates and 11th in the number of AIDS cases diagnosed in 2008.

The Baton Rouge metropolitan area ranked second for AIDS case rates among the largest metropolitan areas in the United States in 2008, and New Orleans ranked third. In 2009, 1,220 new HIV cases were diagnosed in Louisiana; 32 percent were in New Orleans, and 25 percent were in Baton Rouge. In Louisiana, 33 percent of new HIV cases and 31 percent of new AIDS cases were among women.  

The Health Center staff members hope to see a large turnout so that the VOA will offer this service to Southeastern more often and so that students can be informed and safe.

Testing will take place on Nov. 12 and Dec. 1 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the Thomason Health Center, located on 1200 Infirmary Dr., behind Sims Memorial Library and near Hammond and Tangipahoa Halls.

Mouth swabs are used rather than needles, and results are given within 20 minutes and everything is confidential. It is necessary to be at least 13 years of age.

More information can be found by contacting the Thomason Health Center by phone at 985-549-2241.