Greater Family Health continues to offer free HIV testing with an HIV tester and counselor at multiple locations. HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus infection and is a virus that can be passed from person to person through sexual contact involving bodily fluids such as blood or semen. Greater Family Health also provides additional testing for other sexually transmitted infections in addition to HIV, notably gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia and hepatitis C.
Appointments for HIV and STI testing, and treatment can be scheduled through our helpful phone operators. The process of getting an HIV test is simple. After being checked in at the reception desk, a medical assistant guides the client to a room to check vital signs followed by a health care provider who will discuss options with the patient. The rapid HIV tester will explain the procedure of taking a few drops of blood with a finger prick, similar to a diabetes test. This is a confidential test and all information is kept private in a closed setting. While the rapid test is processed for 20 minutes, counseling and resources, such as financial assistance, housing, or mental health, are provided as needed. Results are given, and the patient is discharged. Expect the process to be efficient, professional and informative.
This new program has blossomed since 2020 at our Health Centers. Now in its second year, this special prevention project continues to grow and evolve each month. Help us spread the word so we can all work together to stop the spread of STIs in Illinois!
For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 844-599-3700. We speak many languages, including English and Spanish and offer professional translation services for many other languages.
