Needle-wary students can abandon squeamish apprehension toward HIV testing due to the introduction of OraSure HIV-1 Oral Specimen Collection Device.

University Park students are offered the OraSure HIV-1 test free of charge. The test is done in the Office of Health Promotion and Education, located on the second floor of the Ritenour Building, by trained student interventionists.

Chris Owens, community health educator at Penn State, described OraSure HIV-1 as "a mini-toothbrush-looking device, with a firm cotton swab instead of a brush." He said the swab contains salts which increase the flow of salivary fluid.

The swab is inserted into the rear of the mouth between the cheek and gum and rubbed back and forth until it becomes moist. The swab remains in the mouth for two to five minutes.

The swab is then removed and placed in a vial containing antibody-preserving fluid.

The specimen is shipped to the Department of Health laboratories. Test results are available within two weeks.

Owens emphasizes that the test is not looking for HIV itself, but antibodies to HIV.

"Invariably, someone freaks out because they thought that HIV couldn't be transmitted through saliva, 'so why would we be testing their saliva?' " he said. "Saliva cannot transmit HIV."

By rubbing the swab against the cheek and gum, not only is mucous collected, but skin cells as well.

This mixture, technically referred to as mucosal transudate, is where HIV antibodies are harbored, and thus, the test looks for and detects these HIV antibodies.

Owens pointed out the advantages and disadvantages of OraSure HIV-1. "By using a less threatening means of specimen collection, the obstacle of fear related to syringes is removed," he said.

Justin Curtis (freshman-division of undergraduate studies) agreed. "I think OraSure is good for people who are afraid to give blood or have a fear of needles."

There also is a reduced risk for the person collecting the specimen because an accidental needle prick cannot occur so an HIV infection will not occur from a clinician being exposed to an infected person's blood, he added.

On the other hand, blood tests are reportedly more accurate.

But according to the OraSure HIV-1 explanation manual, "In a clinical trial 3,558/3,570 subjects received the correct HIV-1 antibody results from a single OraSure sample the first time it was tested."

Owens said, "Clients can have confidence in the results obtained from this test."

A minute complaint reported by some was a slight salty flavor from the pad.

When asked who should get tested for HIV Owens said, "Everyone. Why not? It's free and painless."

He explained that those who have engaged in high-risk behavior, such as unprotected anal or vaginal intercourse or those who have shared syringes, are at the high end of the continuum for needing to be tested.

Lower risk behaviors such as oral sex, protected sex or getting a tattoo or body piercing also are grounds to get tested, Owens said.

Curtis, who has a tongue piercing, said, "I'm not too worried about having HIV."

He explained that the piercing procedure seemed sterile.

The man who pierced his tongue unwrapped the needle right in front of Curtis and threw it away after it was used.

Robin Szczesny, supervising lab technologist at Centre Community Hospital, said oral HIV tests are not offered at the hospital.

The identity of those being tested is extremely confidential. ". . . More so than UHS," Owens said. "We do not ask for client's full names at any point, nor do we keep records of names.

"A long number code is what is used rather than names so there is minimal risk of anyone learning from our records that a specific person was tested for HIV, or what those results were."

Students who go in for testing will not only receive the test itself but will discuss basic HIV information including preventative measures.

To make an appointment, students can call 865-6538. Appointments are required.