Free HIV tests at 3 colleges

In recognition of 12th National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day a coalition of eight organizations will branch out to offer free HIV testing at San Antonio College, St. Philip's College and the University of Texas at San Antonio.

This is the fourth year that San Antonio area AIDS-focused nonprofits have collaborated to participate in the national awareness day, said Michele Durham, executive director of BEAT AIDS.

Last year, a total of 500 people were tested at all three institutions, Durham said.

Of those there were 30 positive results, said sociology sophomore Justin Herrera, who is a risk reduction specialist at San Antonio Cares.

"The epidemic seems to be reducing as far as spreading," Durham said. "We're not finding as much HIV and syphilis on the campuses."

That reduction shows the positive impact of the testing, education and people taking care of their lives, Durham said.

On Tuesday, BEAT AIDS and the University Health System will perform the testing from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the craft room of Loftin Student Center.

The organizations will distribute pamphlets and condoms in the mall.

While people wait for the results of their rapid oral quick test, they will receive a one-on-one educational consultation, Herrera said.

Anyone who receives a positive test for the antibodies that fight the virus will be directed to the San Antonio AIDS Foundation, 818 E. Grayson, for a follow-up test, consultation and health management.

Testing at St. Philip's will be from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. today and Tuesday in the nursing center. Testing will occur for two says at St. Philip's because there is a new mandate requiring nursing students to be tested. Organizers plan to test 300 nursing students at that college.

To ensure enough testers are at St. Philip's, testing will be done by seven agencies — BEAT AIDS, San Antonio Fighting Back, Center for Health Care Services, Hope Action Care, San Antonio Cares, San Antonio AIDS Foundation and South Texas Family AIDS Network.

UTSA testing will be from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Tuesday in the UC Ballroom No. 2. BEAT AIDS, Hope Action Care and San Antonio AIDS Foundation will do the testing.

San Antonio Cares will offer "The Blitz" block walk from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 23. A group will perform testing at the Walgreens at Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and New Braunfels. Another group will walk a 3-mile radius and perform on-site testing for those in high-risk categories and ones who have never been tested, Herrera said.

For more information on the walk, call Herrera at 210-409-2400.