Saturday, June 27, is National HIV Testing Day. When’s the last time you were tested? If you can’t remember, make it a priority to be tested in the near future.
You might think that only certain people need to be tested for HIV, but the reality is that most people should be tested. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone between ages 13 and 64 be tested for HIV at least once.
Being tested for HIV is the only way to know your HIV status. It’s normal to be a little leery of testing — or more specifically, of what the test results will say. But keeping yourself in the dark about whether you have HIV can keep you from getting the care you need to manage the virus and stay healthy.
If you’re looking to be tested for HIV, Cempa Community Care is here to help. We offer testing for HIV and other infectious diseases, along with Rapid PrEP access for those who qualify.
Who Needs to Be Tested & When
As noted above, every person should be tested at least once between ages 13 and 64. Many people, though, need more frequent HIV testing. The CDC recommends testing at least once a year if:
- You’re a man who has sex with other men.
- You’ve been diagnosed with another sexually transmitted infection.
- You’ve exchanged sex for money.
- You’ve had anal or vaginal sex with someone who has HIV.
- You’ve had more than one sexual partner since your last HIV test.
- You’ve shared drug injection equipment, such as syringes, with someone who has HIV.
- You’ve had sex with someone who has the risk factors above, or whose sexual history is unknown.
Women should also be tested for HIV during pregnancy.
While annual testing works well for many people, you may benefit from regular testing every three or six months, so talk with a medical provider about what frequency will work best for you.
Rapid PrEP = Fast Access to a Preventive Tool
If you’re at a higher risk of acquiring HIV, you may benefit from taking PrEP, which stands for pre-exposure prophylaxis. This medication therapy helps reduce the likelihood of acquiring HIV — and it can be a game-changer for those who are at risk.
Several different PrEP medications have been approved by the FDA: two that are taken by mouth and two that are given as injections. When taken as prescribed, they’re more than 99% effective in preventing HIV.
While PrEP has helped many people protect their sexual health, it can sometimes be challenging to find a medical provider who will prescribe it or to get the medication. Even if you find a provider, getting PrEP is usually a multistep process requiring more than one medical visit.
At Cempa, we’re committed to changing that. We offer same-day access to PrEP therapy as a way of taking barriers out of the normal process for beginning a PrEP regimen.
How Our Rapid PrEP Service Works
Interested in accessing PrEP? The process is simple:
- You’ll take a rapid HIV test, which checks for HIV antibodies in blood or oral fluid. Results are available within 30 minutes.
- If you test negative for HIV, a Cempa provider will then talk with you about the benefits of PrEP and how it’s taken. You’ll also undergo a basic examination. If you qualify for PrEP therapy, the provider will give you a seven-day PrEP starter kit.
- You’ll then be scheduled for a follow-up appointment with a primary care provider (PCP) at Cempa within seven days to complete required lab work. At that time, you will receive the remainder of the PrEP prescription to continue long-term use.
- As you continue on PrEP therapy, you can access ongoing care with a Cempa primary care provider. This care will include checkups related to your sexual health, but a PCP can also offer comprehensive care for all aspects of your health and wellness.
If you test positive for HIV, our primary care providers are here to help you navigate what comes next. Medications are available to help you live a long and healthy life, and we’ll provide the support system you need along the way.
Whether you need infectious disease testing, primary care services, or dental care, Cempa has you covered. We offer a full range of services to help keep our community healthy and well.
