Lincoln County Health Department STD Screenings

HIV Testing and Counseling

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that attacks the body’s immune system. Without treatment, it can lead to AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). There is currently no effective cure. Once people get HIV, they have it for life. However, proper medical care can control the virus. People with HIV who get on and stay on effective HIV treatment can live long, healthy lives and protect their partners.

How it spreads:

HIV is primarily contracted through anal or vaginal sex or by sharing needles, syringes, or other drug injection equipment. Only certain body fluids can transmit HIV, such as blood, semen, pre-seminal fluid, rectal fluids, vaginal fluids, or breast milk, with a mucous membrane, damaged tissue, or direct injection into the bloodstream. Factors like a person’s viral load, other sexually transmitted infections, and alcohol or drug use can increase the chances of getting or transmitting HIV.

Preventative Measures:

Today, more tools than ever are available to prevent HIV. Prevention strategies include:

Using condoms the right way every time you have sex.
Never share needles, syringes, or other drug injection equipment.
Using PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) and PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis).
If you have HIV, there are many ways to prevent transmitting HIV to others, including taking HIV treatment to get and keep an undetectable viral load.

Testing:

The only way to know your HIV status is to get tested. Knowing your status gives you powerful information to keep you and your partner(s) healthy. There are many options for quick, free, and painless HIV testing. If your test result is positive, you can take medicine to treat HIV to help you live a long, healthy life and protect others. If your test result is negative, you can take action to prevent HIV.

The Lincoln County Health Department promotes AIDS prevention through health education, risk reduction strategies, and the distribution of resources to those at risk. These services are confidential and free to all, with no age restrictions. Testing is also provided free of charge. While walk-ins are welcome, scheduling an appointment is recommended. Please call (304) 824-3330.

Sexually Transmitted Disease Testing and Treatment

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are very common, with millions of new infections occurring every year in the United States. STDs are transmitted from one individual to another via vaginal, oral, and anal sex. They can also be spread through intimate skin-to-skin contact, although this is less common.

STDs may not always cause symptoms or may only cause mild symptoms, so it is possible to have an infection without knowing it. Therefore, getting an STD test is important if you are sexually active. If you receive a positive STD diagnosis, it’s important to understand that all STDs are treatable with medicine, and many are entirely curable.

STDs are preventable. If you are sexually active, it’s important to know how to protect yourself and your partners from STDs.

Free & Confidential Testing

The Lincoln County Health Department STD clinic offers appointments for specific lab testing for chlamydia, gonorrhea, Hepatitis B & C, HIV, and syphilis. All testing, results, and counseling are free and confidential. Free medications for the treatment of an STD are also available. Please call (304) 824-3330 for more information or to schedule an appointment.