Health department offers free HIV screenings

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ) – With actor Charlie Sheen’s public announcement that he is HIV positive, the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department is urging anyone who has never been tested for HIV, to take advantage of a free screening at the health department.

The World Health Organization (WHO) says barely half of the people living with HIV know they have the disease. That’s why health officials are stressing that knowing your HIV status is critical. A simple mouth swab is all that’s needed to determine if a person has an elevated level of HIV antibodies in their system and the results can come back in 20-minutes, according to LFCHD Disease Intervention Specialist Lynnsey McGrarrh.

Testing at the health department is Monday and Friday from 1:30 p.n. to 4:00 p.m. No appointment is needed. The health department is located at 650 Newtown Pike in Lexington.