Putnam County offers special hours

Sunday, Dec. 1, is World AIDS Day, a day set aside to increase awareness of the magnitude of the global HIV/AIDS epidemic. To commemorate this international observance, the Putnam County Department of Health is offering special hours on Tuesday, Dec. 3, from noon to 5 p.m., for free, rapid HIV testing and counselling at 121 Main St., Brewster. Free testing for STDs and Hepatitis C will be available at the same time. HIV and Hep C results take just 20 minutes. No appointment is necessary.

Although new technologies have been developed in the fight against AIDS, such as a rapid HIV test, and new treatments have slowed the progression of HIV to AIDS, the disease remains a major health threat both in the U.S. and worldwide.

“Early diagnosis and prompt, appropriate treatment can make the difference in quality and length of life,” said Allen Beals, M.D., commissioner of health, “and it is also the key to protecting others from becoming infected.”

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention estimates that one in five infected people do not know they are HIV positive. For more information, contact the Health Department at 845-808-1390. Visit putnamcountyny.gov or facebook.com/putnamhealth and Twitter @PutnamHealth.

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