JACKSON, MS (Mississippi News Now) -
By gliding a swab on her gums, Prevention Counselor Charlotte Norwood showed how easy it is to test for HIV.
"It's important to get tested and know your status," Norwood told WLBT Thursday.
In just twenty minutes, the OraQuick test gives results. Starting this fall you can buy one of the HIV tests at the pharmacy and test yourself at home.
"These home kits are designed for people who are afraid to go to a formal hospital or go to a clinic to get tested," said Othor Cain, the spokesperson for the United Healthcare Community Plan.
Cain said the sale of the HIV home testing kits are federally approved, but it could take awhile before they're sold in Mississippi.
"Although the FDA has approved this it will become incumbent upon each state to adopt the law to fit their state, so in Mississippi we're still waiting," Cain said.
Norwood gives HIV tests to people daily at "My Brother's Keeper" clinic. Norwood said she has some reservations with the tests being available to the public over the counter. She said one of her main concerns is people being dishonest about an HIV positive status.
"Now if that happens that they don't disclose it they may continue to have unprotected sex because they're mad somebody infected them," Norwood said.
"I understand that there are reservations in terms of people not sharing and keeping it to themselves, but I think people are responsible," said Cain.
Despite some difference in opinion when it comes to HIV home testing, no one disagrees with the severity of the HIV epidemic.
In 2011, more than 9,000 people in Mississippi were living with HIV. In 2010, Jackson ranked third among U.S. cities for the rate of people with the disease.
Regardless of how you get tested, the point is to know your status.
The HIV home testing kits will be available in October. Stores like Walgreens, CVS and Wal-mart will sell the tests, but only in the states where they have been approved.
Copyright 2012 WLBT. All rights reserved.
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