HIV forum raises awareness

Angelica Brown said she now vows to never let a year go by without getting tested for HIV.

The Augusta woman participated in a National HIV Testing Day forum at the Richmond County Health Department on Tuesday. After leaving the meeting, she said she felt more informed.

"I have really been educated on the different ways you can be infected and the aspects of the disease," she said. "I just don't think I could ever learn enough about it."

Ms. Brown said she no longer has reservations about being tested, and she plans to get an HIV test Saturday, which is National HIV Testing Day.

Health educators and residents gathered Tuesday to discuss the stigma surrounding HIV and the need to raise awareness about the benefits of getting tested.

More than 2,500 people have been diagnosed with AIDS or HIV in the East Central Health District, which includes Richmond, Burke and Columbia counties, said health educator Sandra Wimberly. There are 1 million reported cases of HIV or AIDS in the country, Ms. Wimberly said.

Augusta Mayor Deke Copenhaver, who spoke at the forum, said HIV and AIDS testing is a must in Augusta because the health district ranks third in reported AIDS cases in the state.

"If we don't get tested, there's nothing we can do about it," he said. "We have got to remove the stigma."

Anal sex, vaginal sex and sharing needles for the use of drugs, tattoos and piercings can transmit the disease, Ms. Wimberly said. The health department needs help from community organizations to educate Augustans, she said.

Mary Sullivan said she plans to share what she learned at the forum with her church members at Agape Baptist Church. Augusta's pastors could help spread the message about HIV testing, she said.

"So many people go to churches. That's an environment where this message should be getting across," Ms. Sullivan said. "Some churches are stepping up. Most aren't."

HIV testing will be offered free to the public today, Saturday and Sunday, said David Thompson, the chairman of Medical College of Georgia's Ryan White Outreach Team, which conducts HIV testing for the public at MCG. Recent studies have shown early detection of HIV ensures a normal life expectancy thanks to advances in antiretroviral therapy, Mr. Thompson said.

Ten years ago, the life expectancy was just 12 years.

"Get tested now while you're healthy or get wheeled in on a gurney later," he said. "Either way, you're going to find out."

Reach Stephanie Toone at (706) 823-3215 or stephanie.toone@augustachronicle.com.