Several locations in Ames offer HIV testing, including ISU’s Thielen Student Health Center and Planned Parenthood, 2530 Chamberlain St.

Sarah Carlson, regional director of Planned Parenthood of Greater Iowa, said the Ames location has offered HIV testing since December 2001. The test used by Planned Parenthood requires no drawing of blood – a mouth swab is used to gather saliva. Results are available in 10 days, Carlson said.

Unlike the Thielen Student Health Center, which provides free HIV testing under a special funding grant from the Iowa Department of Health, Carlson said Planned Parenthood charges $30 for the test.

HIV test results are confidential and “treated very carefully,” Carlson said. “[Test results] cannot be released unless the client requests it in writing.”

While Iowa law requires a confidential report of positive HIV results be provided to the Iowa Department of Public Health, Carlson said Planned Parenthood assures patients of their privacy.

“Statistics of the number of HIV infections and deaths are collected by the Iowa Department of Public Health for public record,” Carlson said. “Names of individuals with HIV infections are confidential and are not a part of public record.”

When someone tests positive for HIV, Carlson said there are support groups available in the Ames area, including the AIDS Project of Central Iowa.

“The AIDS Project of Central Iowa is dedicated to helping people affected by HIV/AIDS,” Carlson said. “They provide a variety of services in a 15-county region in Iowa, assisting individuals in finding medical, financial, and support services.”

– Megan Hinds