Boise State announces free HIV screenings

The number of positive HIV cases is continuing rise, especially among high-risk populations like teens and young adults. In fact, in 2007, approximately 11,000 people aged 20 to 29 tested positive for HIV/AIDS, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In an effort to slow the spread of this sexually transmitted disease (STD) at Boise State University, licensed campus staff and student volunteers will now administer free HIV tests at the school's new laboratory. Following a swabbing of the inside of their mouth, the patient will be given results of the screening within 20 minutes, which the staff reports is 99 percent accurate, according to ArbiterOnline.com.

In addition to the availability of this confidential testing option, the facility's staff will provide HIV-positive patients with resources that provide information on STD treatments and local counseling groups.

Andrew Wingfield, a senior at Boise State and student volunteer at the clinic, told the news source that "in this day and age, people need to be keeping themselves safer." He added that "early detection [of STDs] is key."

People who have unprotected sex could be putting themselves and their partners at a higher risk of contracting a sexually transmitted disease. Individuals who are concerned about their health, but are uncomfortable with going to an STD clinic, can benefit from purchasing online testing kits.