World Aids Day reminds Airmen to know their status

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Marissa Tucker
  • 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  As World Aids Day serves as a reminder around the world of the severity of the disease, Airmen here are encouraged to know their status.

Airmen are required to have an HIV test every two years, and depending on what their job is, they may have to have one every year, said Staff Sgt. Ira Coe, 4th Aerospace Medicine Squadron NCOIC of communicable disease prevention. They are also welcome to come into the clinic at any time they have a concern or believe they have been exposed to an STD.

Being in the Air Force does not automatically protect against STDs and Airmen are just as susceptible to them as anyone else. Luckily, Airmen possess the right to receive a comprehensive STD/HIV test at their local medical group, free of charge and free of the judgment of others, as all results remain confidential, Coe said.

"Sometimes, people do not want to come in to have their test because they worry about what someone will say about them," he said. "We are not here to spread rumors, we want to stop the spread of the disease and ensure Airmen are healthy enough to carry out the mission."

Airmen are protected by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which ensures the right of all patients to privacy when receiving medical treatment. Violations of HIPAA are investigated thoroughly and come with steep fines for medical facilities, including military installations.

Airmen here have several options if they believe they have been exposed to an STD. Visiting the public health flight and speaking to a technician can jumpstart the process of receiving a thorough exam, or for males, the 4th Medical Group has walk-in hours Monday - Friday from 8:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. to receive a test. Females must schedule an appointment with the Women's Health clinic by calling the appointment line and explaining the symptoms.

"There's no single person an Airman has to talk to, there are many people who can help," said Coe. "If a patient comes in and believes they have symptoms of an STD, they can be pre-treated before they are seen by physician."

With STD transmission rates on the rise, especially for women, the 4th Medical Group encourages Airmen and their families to know their status. Many issues can be addressed early on to prevent the spread of the disease and decrease the severity, before it is too late.

"It really hurts you in the long run, because at the disease progresses, it will only get worse," said Lt. Col. Anthony Bankes, 4 MDG chief of Aerospace Medicine. "Some people are afraid of learning their status because they believe it will discharge them from the Air Force, but that is incorrect. It is far better to know your status early, before it becomes untreatable."

The truth is there are people in the Air Force who are HIV positive and receive treatment to continue to lead their normal lives. Because they sought treatment, they were able to stop the advancement of the disease.

For more information about STD testing, contact the public health flight at (919) 722-1172 the 4 MDG appointment line at (919)722-1802.