HIV TESTING AND COUNSELING

Johnson County Public Health (JCPH) offers confidential HIV testing and counseling at no cost to voluntary participants. HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is the virus that causes AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome). HIV lives in blood, semen, vaginal fluid, and breast milk.

The most common ways HIV is spread to others is:

• Through unprotected sex (vaginal, anal or oral intercourse without a condom)
• Sharing equipment (such as needles, syringes or works) with others.

Additionally, an HIV-positive mother can spread the virus to her child during pregnancy, birth, or when breastfeeding.

There is still no cure for HIV/AIDS.

WHO SHOULD GET TESTED?

• Anyone who has had unprotected sex.
• Anyone who is uncertain about their sexual partner's risk behaviors.
• Anyone who has a sexually transmitted disease (STD).
• Anyone who has injected drugs, steroids or shared equipment (such as needles, syringes or works) with others.

No one is immune from getting HIV/AIDS.

WHY PARTCIPATE IN HIV TESTING AND COUNSELING?

Knowing your HIV status may help when making decisions about life plans, pregnancy, and health care. It is possible to have HIV and not know it. A person who is asymptomatic may spread the virus to others unknowingly.

The counselor will work with you to help decrease your risk for infection and offer safer sex tools like latex condoms, dental dams, and water-based lubricants.

If a person is infected with HIV, early medication can help slow damage to the immune system and maintain good health. Persons living with HIV can take steps to help prevent transmitting the virus to partners.

HOW DOES THE TEST WORK?

There are two HIV test performed by JCPH:

• A finger stick which gives you results in 15 minutes
• A mouth swab which takes one week to get the results

Both tests detect antibodies to the virus. Antibodies are created after the virus enters the body. It can take 3 months for the body to produce enough HIV antibodies to be detectable. Results must be given in person.

A negative result means either a person is not infected with the virus, or has been exposed to the virus but has not yet developed enough antibodies to be detected.

A positive test result means a person has been infected with HIV and can spread the virus to others; it does not mean one has AIDS. Persons who test positive for HIV will be offered counseling and supportive community referrals. Positive test results must be reported to the Iowa Department of Public Health.

HOW CAN I RECEIVE HIV TESTING AND COUNSELING?

HIV tests can be conducted by JCPH HIV Outreach Workers during regular business hours (Monday-Friday 8:00am-5:00pm) at the offices of JCPH, or during evenings on Mondays and/or Thursdays at the Iowa City Free Medical Clinic.

Johnson County Public Health
855 S. Dubuque St, Iowa City , IA 52240
Monday through Friday, 8:00am until 5:00pm
Contacts: Dustin Wagner 319-688-5890 or
Andy Weigel 319-688-5893
By appointment or walk-in
(appointments preferred)

Free Medical Clinic (FMC)
2440 Towncrest Drive, Iowa City , IA 52240
Monday or Thursday, 6:00pm until 8:45pm
Contact: FMC Scheduler 319-337-4459
By appointment only

www.freemedicalclinic.org

This site contains HIV prevention messages that may not be appropriate for all audiences.