What is HIV?
How do you get HIV?
HIV is spread through bodily fluids, such as blood, semen (sperm), vaginal fluids, and breast milk. HIV is spread from one person to another by:
- Having sex (vaginal, anal, or oral) without a condom or dental dam with a person who acquired HIV.
- Sharing needles with a person who acquired HIV.
- Through pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding if the mother has acquired HIV, she can infect the baby or fetus.
- Receive a transfusion of blood from a person with HIV (this is very rare in the United States).
Here are additional steps you can take to prevent HIV infection:
- Use latex condom with water-based lubricant every time you have vaginal or anal sex
- When you have oral sex, use a condom or a Dental dam (a rectangular latex sheet that is put over the vagina)
- If you share sex toys with your partner, use a condom and clean the toys after each use
- Limit the number of sexual partners
- Do not inject drugs or share needles with anyone
- If you have more than one sexual partner, get tested regularly for HIV
Get Free Testing for HIV
The only way to know if you have HIV is by getting tested. You could acquire it and feel healthy. You can get tested for HIV at a doctor’s office, in a clinic or health center. There are different types of test for HIV. Some of them can be done through a blood sample and others can be done with sample of saliva from the mouth.
- Rapid response tests are ready in between 10-20 minutes
- Lab results test may take a few days
If the result is positive, you will need a second confirmatory HIV test done. We will help you with advice and counseling to get all the help you need to fight and live with HIV.
Outreach
You will see us at the following events throughout the community conducting free HIV testing, distributing condoms, and much more:
- Latino Familia Day
- PRIDE
- Santa Comes to Town
- Indiana Latino Expo
- Taco Fest at the Indiana Discount Mall
- And many others!
Be on the lookout for our new Mobile Clinic to come to a community near you for HIV testing! We have Spanish speaking providers on the Mobile Clinic Tuesdays and Fridays.
If you would like us to conduct free testing at your event, business, or community fair, please contact us here.
Counseling
If you want more information come to one of our clinics where you can get a free HIV test and risk assessment. We can give you advice if:
- You are concerned you may acquire HIV
- You were exposed to HIV
- You already acquired HIV and are concerned about spreading it to other people
- You want advice on how to talk to your partner about sexually transmitted diseases
Navigation
From testing to prevention and treatment, we are here to increase your understanding and access to PrEP. We are here to help you through the continuum of care.
