Get tested.
This is what national and local health officials want people to do in order to prevent the spread of HIV.
To do that, the County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) and its many partners are offering free, confidential HIV testing throughout the region. The free testing is part of National HIV Testing Week in San Diego County, which will take place June 21-27.
“Getting tested is extremely important because one in 10 people who are infected with HIV are not aware of it,” said Patrick Loose, chief of the HHSA HIV, STD and Hepatitis Branch. “Everyone 18 and over who is having non-monogamous sexual relations should get tested, whether they think they are at risk or not.”
The earlier we detect HIV, the more treatment options there are and the better the outcome is going to be.
Dr. Wilma Wooten, County Public Health Officer
Every week, 10 people are diagnosed with HIV or AIDS in the San Diego region. Since the beginning of the AIDS epidemic in the early 1980s, about 15,000 San Diego County residents have been diagnosed with AIDS. Since 2006, more than 5,400 residents have been diagnosed with HIV disease.
Advances in medication and treatment have helped people with AIDS to live longer, healthier lives. Of the individuals diagnosed with AIDS in San Diego County, 7,221 are currently alive.
“The earlier we detect HIV, the more treatment options there are and the better the outcome is going to be,” said Wilma Wooten, M.D., M.P.H., County public health officer. “People should get tested regardless of who their sexual partner is.”
The free HIV testing is part of Live Well San Diego, the County’s vision of healthy, safe and thriving residents and communities.
The following is a list of HIV testing dates and locations for the week of June 21-27:
Special HIV Testing Events:
June 23
3-7 p.m.
Walgreens, 1111 3rd Ave, Chula Vista, CA, (619) 662-4161 (The San Ysidro Health Centers mobile unit in partnership with South Bay Alliance)
June 24
3-7 p.m.
Walgreens, 602 Euclid Ave, San Diego, CA, (619) 662-4161 (County mobile unit in partnership with San Ysidro Health Centers and Christie’s Place)
June 25
10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Walgreens, 301 University Ave, San Diego, CA (In partnership with Family Health Centers of San Diego and Why Not? San Diego)
9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Faith-Based Action Coalition with San Ysidro Health Center and Family Health Centers of San Diego, 5403 University Ave. San Diego, CA, (619) 662-4161 (Parking lot of Northgate Market and Burlington Coat Factory)
Ongoing: Monday – Friday
9 a.m.-7 p.m.
The LGBT Community Center, 3909 Centre St., San Diego, CA, (619) 692-2077
9 a.m.-12 p.m. and 2-5 p.m.
Hillcrest Family Health Center, 4094 4th Avenue, San Diego, CA, (619) 515-2545
9 a.m.-12 p.m. and 2-5 p.m.
Family Health Centers of San Diego Gay Men’s Health Services, 4040 30th St., San Diego, CA, (619) 876-4462
12-7:30 p.m.
Lead the Way, 3830 Park Blvd, San Diego, CA, (619) 543-9340
5:30-9 p.m. (Mon.-Thur.)
Family Health Centers of San Diego’s The Night Clinic, 4094 4th Ave., San Diego, CA, (619) 876-4462
Regular and Additional Testing Available Week of June 21-27:
June 21
7:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
County Health Services Complex – Rosecrans STD Clinic, 3851 Rosecrans St., Suite S, San Diego, CA, (619) 692-8550
1-7:30 p.m.
Central Region Public Health Center, 5202 University Avenue, San Diego, CA, (619) 229-5400 (HIV test available with STD screening)
June 22
11 a.m.-7 p.m.
County Health Services Complex – Rosecrans STD Clinic, 3851 Rosecrans St., Suite S, San Diego, CA, (619) 692-8550
12:30-7:30 p.m.
North Coastal Public Health Center, 104 South Barnes Street, Oceanside, CA, (760) 967-4401 (HIV test available with STD screening)
June 23
10 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
County Health Services Complex – Rosecrans STD Clinic, 3851 Rosecrans St. Suite S San Diego, CA, (619) 692-8550
10 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Family Health Centers of San Diego, Cuyamaca College, 900 Rancho San Diego Pkwy, El Cajon, CA, (619) 515-2300
11 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
Vista Community Clinic at MiraCosta College, 1 Barnard Dr., Oceanside, CA, (760) 967-4401
June 24
7:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
County Health Services Complex – Rosecrans STD Clinic, 3851 Rosecrans St., Suite S, San Diego, CA, (619) 692-8550
10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Central Region Public Health Center, 5202 University Avenue, San Diego, CA, (619) 229-5400 (HIV test available with STD screening)
12-3 p.m. and 4-8 p.m.
The LGBT Community Center, 3909 Centre St. San Diego, CA, (619) 692-2077
5-7:30 p.m.
Vista Community Clinic and North County LGBTQ Resource Center, 510 N. Coast Highway, Oceanside, CA, (760) 967-4401
June 25
10 a.m.-1 p.m.
The LGBT Community Center, 3909 Centre St. San Diego, CA, (619) 692-2077
1-5 p.m.
Logan Heights Family Health Centers, 1809 National Ave, San Diego CA, (619) 515-2300
June 27
7:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
County Health Services Complex – Rosecrans STD Clinic, 3851 Rosecrans St., Suite S, San Diego, CA, (619) 692-8550
9-11 a.m. and 1-3 p.m.
Vista Community Clinic, Vale Terrace Women’s Center, 1000 Vale Terrace, Vista, CA, (760) 967-4401
9-11 a.m. and 1-3 p.m.
Vista Community Clinic, Early Intervention Services, Center at Horne Clinic, 517 N. Horne St, Oceanside, CA, (760) 967-4401
10 a.m.-3 p.m.
San Ysidro Health Centers mobile unit, 723 E. San Ysidro Blvd., San Diego, CA, (Parking lot at the border between McDonald’s and Jack-In-The-Box)
1:30-5 p.m.
Diamond Neighborhoods Family Health Center, 4725 Market Street, San Diego, CA, (619) 515-2300
