HIV Is a Preventable Disease

Health privacy laws prevent CDHD from being able to reveal the name of the suspect.

In the wake of the arraignment Tuesday of a Boise man on charges of knowingly transferring the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), the Central District Health Department (CDHD) wants to remind the public that HIV is preventable disease. There are various methods to prevent HIV infection. Using condoms consistently with all sexual activity and getting tested are two of them. Because a person can be infected with HIV and show no symptoms there is the potential to pass HIV on to others. Unprotected sexual contact with an infected person is the most common method of transferring the disease.

“There are two messages here,” Said Lorraine Fortunati, NP, MSN, FP-C, Program Manager of Reproductive Health Services at CDHD. “Protect yourself and your partner when you’re having sex, and if you don’t know your status, get tested.”

Any medical provider can order tests for HIV and other sexually transmitted disease. These services are also offered at CDHD through the Reproductive Health program. Call 327-7400 to make an appointment. Other resources are available online at www.hivtest.org.

While the Ada County Sheriff’s office continues its investigation into the multiple sexual partners of the accused man, CDHD is doing its own investigation to try and stem the potential for an outbreak of HIV in the community.

“We want to encourage anyone who may have had contact with this individual to get tested,” Said Fortunati. “It’s in your best interest, that of your partners and the community as a whole.”