Woodland Hills : Pierce College Offers Free HIV Testing

As part of Pierce College’s HIV-AIDS Education Week, the school’s health center is offering free, anonymous HIV testing to students and the public alike.

Although testing for the virus that leads to AIDS is free, appointments are recommended, college nurse Beth Benne said.

The tests, conducted by six counselors from Northeast Valley Health Corporation, include pre- and post-test counseling. People seeking the test should expect questions about their race, sexual orientation, high-risk behaviors and previous HIV-test history.

Identification is not required, Benne added.

“I don’t want to see people’s student ID cards,” Benne said. “People are bringing in their friends, bringing in their significant others. We’re getting a lot of community people.”

Between walk-ins and scheduled appointments, about 75 people were tested Monday, Benne said. The once-a-semester event usually draws about 300 people, she said.

Regardless of precautions, Benne recommended the test for everybody.

“People never consider all the people their partner was with before. Everyone should be treated as if they’re HIV-positive,” she said.

To preserve confidentiality, people seeking tests for the human immunodeficiency virus will be identified by a number instead of by name. For results, they must return with a postcard bearing their random number a week after the test. Results will not be released over the phone.

Testing will continue between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday and between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Friday at the Pierce College Health Center in the school’s Campus Center, 6201 Winnetka Ave.

To make appointments, call (818) 347-0551, Ext. 270, or (818) 713-8022 between 8:30 a.m and 7:30 p.m.

As part of the educational week, the school also will display part of the AIDS Memorial Quilt at noon Wednesday in the Campus Center.