HIV Testing News

The Know Now Organization is Answering the Call to a Difficult Dilemma

At-home HIV testing can be done discreetly by professionals with speedy results.

Houston, TX (PRWEB) October 2, 2006 -- HIV testing is now moving out of the clinics and into the privacy of the home as The Know Now Organization is striving to break down barriers and encourage better prevention of the spread of the disease. The company is rapidly expanding, having recently added Richmond, VA, Arlington, VA, St Louis, MO, Austin, TX, and Detroit, MI to their already wide area of coverage. Other cities are currently being developed as well.

The Know Now Organization (TKNO) performs rapid HIV tests with results in just 20 minutes, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in the comfort, privacy, and convenience of the client’s own home. The company has been testing in the home since early 2006. They are the only company offering this innovative service with regards to making rapid HIV testing available to the public in a convenient, private, expeditious fashion.

The tester comes to the client’s home to conduct the HIV test. People utilizing the service call TKNO directly to get tested. Within a few hours, the TKNO staff will be there to perform the OraQuick Advance HIV-1/HIV-2 test, which is the only FDA approved oral HIV antibody test.

Dr. Frederick Brown, the TKNO medical director and CEO, explains, “TKNO empowers people to know their status, know their partner’s status, and make a more informed decision without sacrificing privacy or being hindered by a lack of convenience or accessibility.”

“We are excited to bring this much needed service to the public to help prevent the transmission of the HIV virus,” says Dr Brown. “For a variety of reasons, a lot of people just don’t get tested as frequently as they should. Some are concerned about privacy issues in our public health clinics or physician offices, while others simply want to be tested and educated in the comfort of their own home. We have also found that often times getting to the doctor or clinic is not feasible when the need to know the status of themselves or perhaps even their partner arises, such as evenings, weekends, or if they are out of town. Convenience is therefore a big part of what we have to offer with our service. TKNO will help break down some of the barriers to people getting tested.”

TKNO covers: Atlanta, Miami, New Orleans, Washington, DC, Chicago, Dallas, and Houston, in addition to the newer cities in Virginia, Texas and Michigan.

With approximately 1,000,000 cases of HIV/AIDS in the United States, and no current cure for the disease, prevention of the transmission of HIV still remains the top defense for fighting the spread of this virus.

Unfortunately, despite multiple efforts and campaigns, ranging from “just say no” to “safe sex”, there are still nearly 40,000 new cases of HIV each year - a number that has not decreased despite these campaigns. While abstinence, avoidance of risky behavior, and safe sex are crucial to protecting one’s self, TKNO also advocates rapid HIV testing. Knowing one’s status is a vital part of stopping the spread of HIV. In addition, knowing one’s status will aid in getting treated as quickly as possible, which improves the overall outcome of the disease.

Getting the rapid HIV test will let clients know their status within 20 minutes. The Know Card™ that clients will receive provides proof of their status. The client’s knowledge that he or she is negative and has proof is a responsible way to protect oneself and it also empowers the client to demand the same level of responsibility from any partner or potential partner.

“We are excited to bring this revolutionary service to the public and look forward to achieving our goal of decreasing the transmission of HIV,” says Dr. Brown of his company’s objective.

TKNO HIV/STD Testing



College STD rates startling

January is Cervical Cancer Awareness month and although students may be busy, it is crucial that they take care of their sexual health and understand the truth of sexually transmitted diseases.

The most common STD in the U.S. is genital human papillomavirus (HPV) according to Dr. Jan Froelich of Primed Physicians. Unlike many other STDs, there are often no symptoms of HPV and most people who have the virus don't even know it.

"HPV is a family of viruses that can cause all sorts of warts and some cancers," Dr. Mary Buchwalder from the Health Center said. "The types that tend to cause warts are different than the types that cause cancer. HPV types six and 11 cause 90 percent of genital warts, types 16 and 18 cause about 70 percent of cervical cancer."

Common misconceptions about HPV leave people confused and uninformed about the realities of the virus. Junior Andrea Graham was unaware of and surprised by the severity of this disease.

"I've started getting the Gardasil shots but I didn't have too much time to research HPV or the vaccine because it was offered to me while I was at the doctor's office," she said. "I'm shocked about the STD testing though. I don't think too many people know that HPV isn't normally tested for and that's probably contributing to the spread of it."

Gardasil, an HPV vaccine, helps prevent four types of HPV that are linked to genital warts and cervical cancer. In 2009, the American Cancer Society estimated that there were 11,270 new cases of cervical cancer and 4,070 deaths.

"People sometimes call Gardasil the cancer vaccine," Froelich said. "It doesn't cure cancer; it only works against the infection. However, if you can stop the infection you may be able to stop the cervical cancer."

STDs do not discriminate and all sexually active people are at risk when not careful. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, people ages 15 to 24 account for two thirds of all newly reported STDs and 19 million new cases are reported each year.

Those who are sexually active can decrease their risks of getting an STD by using a condom, limiting their number of sexual partners and getting tested.

"Abstinence and condoms protect against STDs," Wendy Martin, STD Nursing Coordinator for the Sexually Transmitted Disease Clinic at Public Health of Dayton and Montgomery County, said. "But to test for the types of HPV that can lead to cervical cancer, women should get a pap smear. We offer pap smears based on the patient's ability to pay, but we never turn anyone away."

Failure to get tested can result in serious health risks such as infertility, pelvic inflammatory disease and infections, she said.