Students concerned about their HIV status now have a less nerve-wracking way to get tested for the virus.

University Health Services now offers an oral HIV test called OraSure as an alternative to the traditional blood test for the virus. OraSure costs $28, and students must have a regular clinical appointment, which costs $16, to have the test.

The results are available in three to seven days, said Pamela Koons, UHS marketing manager.

Dr. Edward Rosick, university physician, said, "We hope it will decrease the anxiety associated with the entire procedure. We wanted to make it easier."

The new test will be less invasive. A small device resembling a toothbrush is placed between the patient's lower cheek and gums for 2 minutes to collect cheek cells. The cells then are analyzed for the virus.

The test screens cheek cells, not saliva. HIV cannot be spread through saliva, Rosick added.

HIV antibody testing, which involves getting a blood sample, is available through the Office of Health Promotion and Education in Ritenour, Koons said. Trained peer HIV test counselors conduct the pre- and post-counseling.

The blood test program is funded through the Pennsylvania Department of Health and is free to students.

Students who would like the OraSure test should schedule a normal clinical appointment at Ritenour. As required by state law, students will receive counseling to help cope with the results and to examine behaviors that necessitated the test.

This is usually a 30-minute session prior to the testing and 15-minutes afterwards, Koons said.

The oral test has only been available for a few weeks through UHS, and has yet to be frequently used.

"We need to advertise the new test more," said Melissa Abromaitis (sophomore-industrial engineering), secretary of the Student Health Advisory Board. "It's such an excellent opportunity for students, so we need to get the information out there."

The Men's Preventative Health Program, in particular, is a program that will benefit directly from the new test. The program can assist male students with the testing process. During a normal clinical visit, men can speak with a physician for 30 minutes about any health concerns, including sexual health issues. The physician can then suggest the HIV test for the patient.

UHS officials believe the new test will be popular with students.

"The oral test is a great option, understanding that this is a fairly stressful situation," Koons said. "We want to make the process as reassuring as possible."