New HIV Clinic Opens In Northern Virginia

ARLINGTON, Virginia (WUSA)-- In 2007 Tony went to the emergency room for one condition and came out with an unexpected diagnosis. Tony discovered he was HIV positive.

Tony says getting tested was something he never considered before.

"I stayed pretty active in a lot of sports. I was pretty healthy taking care of myself but thought it couldn't happen to me."

Wednesday a new clinic called the INOVA Juniper program opened its doors. Karen Berube, HIV care specialist and now the Medical Director for the Juniper program says the need for HIV and AIDS services in northern Virginia is immense.

Berube explians, "We opened a clinic in Dumfries and that has done nothing but expand. We heard that there was the need in Herndon and Reston and that there was a large population there that was not getting services and now we have a clinic in Herndon and Reston. Last year in June we opened a clinic in Manassas."

With the opening of the new Juniper clinic, 200 people will get treatment, including Tony.

Tony used to go to the Whitman Walker Clinic in Northern Virginia, but the economy forced it to close last December, leaving patients with fewer options but to head to Washington, DC.

Tony admits that he is much more motivated to stick with the program with resources a bit closer to home.

"There are more people that need to get tested in this area. They don't know it but they should," says Tony.

Karen says that knowledge of HIV status and access to antiviral drugs impacts lives today and the generation to come.

"Our huge successes is that we've delivered over 90 babies and all have been HIV negative. I am hoping some of the stigmas are leaving," says Karen.

Although Tony admits that being diagnosed was the scariest time in his life, he says that he's realized that it's given him a better shot at a long productive life.

"Just to know your status. No matter what you are, who you are, get tested," says Tony.