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HIV / AIDS Program
CDC National AIDS/HIV Hotline 1-800-342-AIDS (2437)
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 25% of people who have HIV do not even know they are infected with the virus. This means that 250,000 people in the U.S. have HIV and don't even know it! Test because YOU matter! Know your risks, Learn your status, Protect yourself!
HIV testing and counseling is available by appointment or through our walk-in reproductive health clinic. If you are worried you may have HIV, it is important that you get tested immediately. All tests are confidential, and in addition, you may test anonymously
Days/Times:
Walk-in testing and same day appointments are available
Monday and Wednesday afternoons from 10am to 7pm at The Downtown Health Center in Bend, 1128 NW Harriman.
The Downtown Health Center serves all people ages 25 and younger.
Appointments for testing are available on Friday afternoons from 1-4pm ( main clinic 2577 NE Courtney Drive, Bend).
Call 322-7400 for appointments and/or schedules in Bend or LaPine
Call 617-4775 for schedules in Redmond
Locations: 2577 NE Courtney Dr., Bend
1128 NW Harriman, Bend
412 SW 8th St., Redmond
HIV Risk Factors
HIV, the virus that can cause AIDS, is spread in three main ways.
- Via sexual contact where blood, semen or vaginal fluids are shared.
- Through exposure to infected blood, often through sharing needles or other injection equipment during recreational drug use (ie. meth, heroin, cocaine, steroids).
- From mother to baby during pregnancy/birth or through breast feeding.
Limiting your number of sexual partners and using barrier methods, such as latex condoms, will help to reduce sexual risk.
If you are injecting drugs, using a new syringe and works each time will decrease your risk for HIV infection; if this is not possible, cleaning them with bleach between each use is the next best thing. New syringes are available free from the health department through the Syringe Exchange program. For more information on syringe exchange please call 541-408-1209 (private line).
If you are a pregnant woman, being tested for HIV during your pregnancy can help you be certain of your HIV status, both from risks you were aware of or those you might not be. If you should find that you are infected, this knowledge allows treatment during pregnancy that can greatly reduce the risk of giving HIV to your baby.
Testing and counseling
With a confidential test, you will give your identifying information that will be kept on file confidentially here at the health department. With this option, you may receive a written copy of your results, if you so choose. An anonymous test means that your identity is not known to the person testing you nor is it connected to your test results; results are given verbally only. Either way, your name does not appear on the paperwork that goes to the laboratory.
The Health Department is very strict about confidentiality, and the staff will not release any of your records to you or anyone else without your written permission.
Testing Procedure
You will be taken to a private room where you will have a chance to ask questions; the nurse or health educator will review your risks and discuss options for confidential and anonymous testing.
Either a blood or oral sample will be taken and sent to a laboratory in Portland. Results will be returned in 2 weeks. The nurse will set up an appointment for you or have you come back to a walk-in clinic.
Rapid HIV Testing- Results in 20 minutes! No blood draw required!
Rapid HIV Testing is available, where the test is done here at the Health Department and your results are given during the same visit. This test is an oral swab that tests for HIV antibodies that can be found in the gum tissue of an infected person.
Reduced or free Rapid HIV tests are available for people who are at high risk for contracting HIV, such as men who have sex with men, people who use illict injection drugs, and partners of people living with HIV. Due to increasing lab costs, Rapid Tests are reserved for people at a greater risk for contracting HIV as mentioned above. Low risk individuals seeking Rapid Testing will be required to pay a fee at the time of service. Call 322-7400 for cost details or questions.
A nurse or health educator will give you the results in a private room. Staff is aware that this can be a difficult and stressful time; we will do our best to make you comfortable and to provide all the information you need.
Rapid HIV Testing is offered in Bend Monday and Wednesday afternoons by walk-in or same day appointment from 10am to 7pm at The Downtown Health Center located behind the courthouse (1128 NW Harriman) and Friday afternoons by appointment from 1-4pm at the main health department located off of 27th Street in Bend (2577 NE Courtney Drive). Call 322-7400 to make an appointment.
What happens next?
If your test is negative, the nurse or health educator will work with you to prevent further exposure. Condoms are available for prevention purposes.
If your test is positive for HIV, the nurse will help you understand your options and the resources that are available including a case management program, called Central Oregon PositiveCare. The COPC program helps clients access services to improve their health and quality of life. Case management staff have a lot of experience in helping people who are HIV positive.
HIV case management services can include:
- Access to a case manager.
- Assistance for food, utilities, housing, HIV medications, dental care, medical care, mental health care,
transportation, health insurance, drug & alcohol treatment.
- Advocate for care.
- Access to support groups for persons living with HIV.
- Caring Staff.
HIV Prevention
The HIV Prevention program conducts education, outreach and prevention programs for persons at risk, including gay/bisexual men, injection drug users and their sexual partners, racial and ethnic minorities, youth, women and the general public, through local health departments and other community groups.
If you would like more information on HIV Prevention or would like to schedule an HIV workshop or education session, please contact the Health Educator and Outreach Worker at 541-322-7425.
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