HIV/AIDS Resources
Education
Education about HIV and AIDS is important because a lot of people still don’t understand what HIV is, how it is spread, and who it can affect. Individuals living with HIV today can live long and healthy lives thanks to recent breakthroughs in new medicine. Read about HIV 101 Basics from the CDC here.
Prevention
Prevention is key to stopping the spread of HIV. There is more than one way to help stop the spread of HIV.
Testing
Getting tested for HIV empowers you to know your status. Knowing your status allows you to make informed decisions about your health and helps keep you and your partners healthy. There are many testing sites throughout Allegheny County. If you would like to find a testing site near you, please click here. Due to COVID-19, please call ahead to confirm the organization’s hours. You can also ask your healthcare provider about getting testing for HIV.
Watch the video below to learn more about getting tested for HIV.
PrEP/PEP
PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is medicine that can help lower the risk of contracting HIV. PrEP is for people who are HIV-negative and at risk for being exposed to HIV. Talk to your healthcare provider about PrEP. To learn more about PrEP, click here.
PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) is medicine that you can take if you think you have been exposed to HIV. You can visit your healthcare provider or an emergency to receive it, and it should be started within 72 hours of the exposure. To learn more about PEP, click here.
Condoms
Condom use is one of the easiest ways to help stop the spread of HIV. Correct and consistent condom use can dramatically lower the risk of passing HIV to a partner. If you pair condom use with PrEP, it lowers the risk of transmission even more!
Find A Service Near You
If you are looking for HIV services, check out the HIV Services Locator from HIV.gov to find available services near you. This tool can help you find locations to get tested, receive care and treatment, access PrEP, and access other supportive services related to mental health, family planning, housing, and substance abuse.
Become An Ally
Educate yourself about HIV and AIDS. When talking about HIV and AIDS, words matter. The CDC has put together a Guide to Talking About HIV that explains how some words or phrases may be problematic and offers preferred language for talking about HIV and AIDS.
If someone you know tells you that they are living with HIV, be there for them. Check out these tips from hiv.gov about ways to talk with and support both someone who has been newly diagnosed with HIV as well as friends, family members, or partners living with HIV.
Stigma about HIV still exists. If you witness HIV stigma, stand up to it. The CDC put together some scenarios about HIV stigma and ways that you can address stigma if it comes up in your life. Check them out here.
Watch the video below to see what people living with HIV want you to know about HIV and HIV stigma.