Rapid HIV testing will provided at the Health and Wellness Fair on September 26 and then monthly at the Student Wellness Centre.

Fanshawe’s sexual violence and prevention programming has partnered with the London Intercommunity Health Centre’s Options Clinic to bring rapid HIV testing to campus.

Free rapid HIV testing will be available at the Wellness Fair on Sept. 26 in Forwell Hall. As of October., testing will be available the first Tuesday of the month at the Wellness Centre.

Sexual Violence and Prevention Advisor, Leah Marshall, explained to Interrobang how testing works.

“This a test that is administered by doing a finger poke, and within 20 minutes the individual will be able to know if they have HIV or not,” Marshall said.

Marshall said she wanted to bring the testing to campus in order to help students keep on top of their health.

“The reason we brought this to campus is because we think it’s really important for students to care for their sexual health as part of their overall health. So by bringing in here, once a month students will be able to easily access this type of testing,” she said. “Testing for STIs is part of your overall health. Sometimes we can have an STI and not even have symptoms of even be aware we have it. And so by getting tested regularly or when you have started seeing a new partner, that allows you to see your status and seek treatment if that is what you need.”

Last year, Fanshawe offered a pilot for rapid HIV testing during sexual health and awareness-related events.

“So this year we are going to be hosting testings on Tuesdays out of the Wellness Centre. No appointment necessary, just walk in,” Marshall said.

She said she hopes that this testing will open doors for students to take action when it comes to being tested for STIs and HIV.

“Individuals can access the testing in the community through the options clinic and InterCommunity. The reason we bring it on campus is sometimes students don’t know where things are in London or maybe not familiar with the services. And so this is maybe a way for students to become familiar with this service but also to make it easy and accessible on campus,” she said.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, sexually active people who are not monogamous should be tested at least once a year for HIV and every six months for other STIs. Marshall recommends getting tested when seeing a new sexual partner.

“Testing for STIs is part of your overall health. Sometimes we can have an STI and not even have symptoms or even be aware we have it. And so by getting tested regularly or when you have started seeing a new partner, that allows you to see your status and seek treatment if that is what you need,” said Marshall.

Monthly testing will be available in the afternoon from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Wellness Centre. Other STI testing can be done at the Fowler- Kennedy Sport Medicine Clinic, also on main campus.