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HIV/AIDs

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Putting Ourselves to the Test: With so much misinformation regarding HIV/AIDS being circulated, the Florida Department of Health in Polk County wants you to know the facts. See below to get the truth regarding HIV/AIDS, what services we provide, and what you can do to remain safe.

FDOH-Polk’s approach to ending HIV:

FDOH-Polk is working with all other health departments in the state to eliminate HIV transmission and reduce HIV-related deaths. Our four-pronged approach is:

  1. To work with healthcare providers to provide routine HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) testing in healthcare settings and to work with community-based organizations to provide priority/targeted testing in non-healthcare settings.
  2. To provide rapid access to HIV and STI treatment (Test and Treat) and retention to care (Linkage to Care).
  3. To work with healthcare providers and to provide pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and non-occupational post=exposure prophylaxis (nPEP) in order to drastically reduce the spread of HIV.
  4. To provide the most recent relevant and reliable education, counseling, and messaging to the community.

FDOH-Polk HIV/STI Services: 863-519-8233

  • HIV/STD testing is offered at all of our clinics using a sliding fee scale (Bartow Specialty Care, Lakeland Clinic, Auburndale Clinic, Haines City Clinic).
    • Anonymous testing is offered at the Specialty Care Clinic in Bartow.
  • HIV/AIDS comprehensive clinical care (Bartow Specialty Care, Lakeland Clinic)
  • STI Treatment and Partner Services (Bartow Specialty Care, Lakeland Clinic, Auburndale Clinic, Haines City Clinic)
  • Ryan White Services (available at the Bartow Specialty Care Clinic and Lakeland Clinic)  
    • Program Eligibility Determination    
    • Medical Services 
    • AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP)
      • Medication
      • Insurance Assistance
    • Housing Assistance (HOPWA)
    • Dental is offered at our Bartow Specialty Care Clinic. We provide services to all Ryan White eligible patients in Polk, Highlands, and Hardee counties.  
  • Prevention/Outreach Testing and Educational Programs (Bartow Specialty Care Clinic and throughout Polk, Hardee and Highlands Counties)
    • Free HIV/STD Testing 
    • 500/501 Testing/Counseling Education Certification 
    • HIV 101 Classes 
    • Community Outreach 

Resource Links:

https://polk.floridahealth.gov/programs-and-services/clinical-and-nutrition-services/stds/index.html

https://polk.floridahealth.gov/locations/specialty-care-location.html

PrEP and PEP:

What is PrEP? 

It is a comprehensive HIV prevention strategy that involves the daily use of antiretroviral medications to reduce the risk of HIV infection in HIV-negative individuals before they are exposed to HIV.

More information about PrEP can be found through The Florida Department of Health and CDC websites:

https://www.floridahealth.gov/diseases-and-conditions/aids/PrEP/index.html

https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/prep.html (opens in new window)

If you are interested in PrEP talk with your doctor or contact 863-519-8233

What is PEP? 

Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) involves taking antiretroviral medications as soon as possible after a potential exposure to HIV to reduce the likelihood of HIV infection.

There are two types of PEP:

  1. Occupational PEP, or an exposure that happens in the workplace (such as a needle stick in a healthcare setting)
  2. Non-occupational PEP (nPEP), or when someone is potentially exposed to HIV through sexual intercourse or injection drug use 

If you think you’ve recently been exposed to HIV during sex, through sharing needles, through work to prepare drugs, or if you’ve been sexually assaulted, talk to your health care provider or an emergency room doctor about PEP right away.

CDC provides easy to understand information about HIV basics: 

https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/pep.html (opens in new window)

HIV/AIDS Risk Factors:

Over the years, many myths have developed about WHO can get HIV and HOW it can be transmitted. It is best to trust reputable sources that are backed by the latest science. The website below covers all the most important topics about how HIV is transmitted and who is at risk for exposure:

https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/transmission.html (opens in new window)

HIV in Polk County - Statistics:

FDOH-Polk follows the current trends in HIV transmission and targets its outreach to high-risk groups and works with other community-based organizations and healthcare providers to reach the worldwide goal of eliminating HIV altogether.

Statistics and information about Polk’s incidence of HIV can be found in the following links:

CDC:  https://www.cdc.gov/NCHHSTP/Atlas/ (opens in new window)

Florida Health Charts: FLHealthCHARTS.gov: Home (opens in new window)

FDOH-Florida:  https://www.floridahealth.gov/diseases-and-conditions/aids/index.html

More information concerning national strategies for ending the HIV epidemic can be found at the following sites:

HRSA: https://ryanwhite.hrsa.gov/about/national-strategies (opens in new window)

HIV.gov: https://www.hiv.gov/ (opens in new window)

For a complete list of testing locations, events and PrEP providers in your area and other helpful information go to:

Know Your HIV Status - Florida's Resource for HIV Testing & Information (opens in new window)