BURLINGTON, Vt. -
Vermont HIV experts are concerned about an HIV test now being sold at drug stores.
While the test itself is very accurate, staff at Vermont Cares worry about people finding out results of a life changing test by yourself.
"That counseling piece is critical especially as you first learn your diagnosis and you first begin to understand what it's like to have HIV and live with HIV for the rest of you life," says Peter Jacobsen, Vermont Cares executive director.
Jacobsen says the issue is complicated because he supports expanding HIV testing.
The test, called the Ora-Quick In-Home HIV Test, will be sold at pharmacies for $40. While many stores in the Burlington area are expected to stock it, most reported it wasn't for sale yet.
Vermont Cares says it uses the same test during its free, anonymous testing which is done by counselor. Every year, about 700 people head to Vermont cares' sites across the state to be tested for HIV. One or two of them will learn their lives have changed forever.
"We start out with, do you have a doctor you can talk to and if not we can make a referral. Anything again to make them comfortable and to let them know it's not the end of the world," says Jose Davila, a case manager at Vermont Cares.
Jacobsen says there is still a huge stigma and misinformation with HIV despite it being around for decades. He hopes at least some of that could be cleared up by the new tests.
"Just the fact of having HIV tests out in the public is huge," says Jacobsen.
Vermont Cares offers free, anonymous testing on Monday's and by appointment.
The at-home test does have a 24-hour phone line for counseling.
