More than 750,000 Americans are HIV positive. Throughout the world there are 36 million people infected with HIV. The truly frightening statistic, however, is that over 10% of all new infections are children under the age of 15. There is high probability that as many of those children go through their teenage sexual exploration years they will engage in unsafe sex at some point and by so doing continue the worldwide spread of the virus.
The virus is every bit as dangerous and volatile today as it was 25 years ago when it first infected Patient Zero. Prevention of the disease is as important as the research being done to cure the disease.
The Know Now Organization (TKNO) is a physician-owned and physician-based service that offers in-home HIV testing, education and results in minutes. For a fee, TKNO will come to your home, administer the FDA-approved OraQuick Advanced HIV antibody test and provide you with results within 20-minutes. Both pre-test and post-test counseling and education are included. The service is professional, reliable and can be completely anonymous if desired.
"Some are concerned about privacy issues
in our public health clinics or physician offices"
in our public health clinics or physician offices"
With new laws in California that require public clinics to report the names of those who test positive for HIV to a state-maintained database, the new TKNO service is likely to be the option of choice for those who can afford the service. Because it is owned and supervised by physicians, the counselors and technicians are highly trained and most come out of the medical or health education field.
Dr. Frederick Brown, the CEO of TKNO, talked recently about why they are offering this new service. "We are excited to bring this much needed service to the public to help prevent the transmission of the HIV virus. For a variety of reasons, a lot of people just don't get tested as frequently as they should. Some are concerned about privacy issues in our public health clinics or physician offices, while others would simply want to be tested and educated in the comfort of their own home."
TKNO plans to utilize a network of licensed nurses and certified health educators who will administer the rapid HIV tests and provide the counseling. Each test performed will be under the auspices of a licensed medical doctor. TKNO hopes to expand throughout the country with franchises run largely by registered nurses.
TKNO has been offering its services in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Miami and Washington, D.C. They are currently setting up shop in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Philadelphia and New Orleans.
Story References:
The Know Now Organization (TKNO)
OraSure Advance
Other Related References:
UCSF AIDS Research Institute
UCSF Center for Aids Prevention Studies (CAPS)
UCSF HIV InSite
National Association of People with AIDS (NAPWA)
CDC Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention
World Health Organization (WHO) HIV/AIDS Topics
The Body, Complete HIV/AIDS Resource
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