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The Florida Department of Health works to protect, promote, and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county, and community efforts.

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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 (DOH-Polk) wants you to know the facts. See below for information regarding HIV/AIDS, what services we provide, and what you can do to remain safe.

DOH-Polk’s Approach to Ending HIV

DOH-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:

  • 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.
  • To provide rapid access to HIV and STI treatment (Test and Treat) and retention to care (Linkage to Care).
  • 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.
  • To provide the most recent relevant and reliable education, counseling, and messaging to the community.

DOH-Polk HIV/STI Services

  • 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

For more information, contact 863-519-8233.

Resources

PrEP and PEP

PrEP

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) 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 websites:

  • Information about PrEP

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

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:

  • Occupational PEP, or an exposure that happens in the workplace (such as a needle stick in a healthcare setting).
  • 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 healthcare provider or an emergency room doctor about PEP right away.

  • Information about PEP

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:

  • Information about HIV

HIV Statistics in Polk County

DOH-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:

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

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