June 28, 2002

Charlotte, NC – National HIV & Syphilis Testing Day has drawn to a close and 202 people were tested Thursday, June 27, at the five testing locations offered around Mecklenburg County. That is a 10 percent increase over the number tested in 2001. Test recipients will be notified of their status within three or four weeks, and additional counseling and medical treatment prescribed, if necessary.

June 27 is set aside every year as National HIV & Syphilis Testing Day as a means of raising awareness of HIV and encouraging citizens to "Take the Test and Take Control." However, free and confidential testing remains available year-round at all Mecklenburg County Health Department locations. Call 704-432-TEST or check the Web site www.meckhealth.org for locations and more information.

Nearly half-a-million people nationwide are HIV positive and don't know it. Also, the number of heterosexual citizens in Mecklenburg County testing positive for HIV is growing. Sixty percent of the clients counseled at Metrolina AIDS Project are women who contracted HIV through heterosexual contact.

National HIV & Syphilis Testing Day was organized locally by the Mecklenburg County Health Department, Metrolina AIDS Project, Regional HIV/AIDS Consortium, Present Day Cares, Inc., Cabarrus Health Alliance and the York County Health Department.

Media Contacts:

Health Department: Alex Burnett (O) 704-432-0361 (M) 704-579-0288 or burnear@co.mecklenburg.nc.us

D.C. Lucchesi (O) 704-432-0344 (M) 704-577-2587 or lucchdc@co.mecklenburg.nc.us

Metrolina AIDS Project: J. Peyton Savage (O) 704-602-2414 psavage@metrolinaaidsproject.org