HIV
Disclaimer: This site contains HIV prevention messages that may not be appropriate for all audiences.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention approximately one in five people (18.1%) who are infected with HIV are unaware that they are infected. In addition, almost half of the cases of new infection are transmitted by individuals who do not know that they are transmitting the virus. HIV testing is essential for all sexually active individuals. However, regular HIV and STD testing is especially important if you belong to a high risk group. Testing improves the health of people living with HIV and helping to prevent new infections. Call the clinic at 319-892-6093 to schedule an appointment.
HIV Testing and the Affordable Care Act
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires new private health insurance plans to fully cover the costs of all preventive health services that have rating 'A' or 'B' from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). This means patients pay no deductibles or copayments or otherwise share costs or these services.
Testing Recommendations
- Screen adolescents and adults ages 13 to 65 years for HIV infection
- Screen all individuals who are at an increased risk for HIV infection
- Screen all pregnant women for HIV
Services Offered through the Linn County Public Health Clinic
- Confidential pre- and post-test counseling
- Rapid HIV testing
- Referral for treatment and counseling services
- Partner notification for positive test results
- PrEP
High-Risk Groups
In addition to the groups listed above, HIV testing should be routinely conducted for persons who test positive for other sexually transmitted diseases, have a history of injection drug use; male and females who trade sex for drugs, money, or favors; sexual partners of HIV-infected persons, or among individuals with sexual partners who meet any of the risk groups.
HIV Prevention
Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) is the use of anti-HIV medications to keep HIV negative people from becoming infected. Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis is approved by the FDA and has been shown to be safe and effective at preventing HIV infection. Daily Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis reduces the risk of getting HIV from sex by more than 90%. Among people who inject drugs, it reduces the risk by more than 70%. Your risk of getting HIV from sex can be even lower if you combine Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis with condoms and other prevention methods.
Call 319-892-6093 to schedule an appointment with our provider to discuss if Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis is right for you.