HIV/STI Services
Understanding your sexual health and how to prevent HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is important. STIs that are not treated can lead to serious health problems, some cancers, and can increase the chance of getting HIV. There are many services in Michigan to help prevent, diagnose, and treat HIV and STIs. Topics include:
Facts
In Michigan, around 60,000 people a year are diagnosed with an STI, and 650 to 700 individuals are diagnosed with HIV per year.
Around 1.2 million people in the U.S. have HIV. About 13 percent don’t know their status and need testing. HIV and STIs continue to impact some populations more than others.
There are many ways to prevent HIV and STIs like using condoms, not sharing needles or other injection equipment, and taking medication as prescribed.
Getting Help in Michigan
You are not alone. Being sexually healthy means you can enjoy a satisfying sex life, positive relationships, and peace of mind. Below you will find HIV and STI services available to support you.
HIV and STI Prevention
There are many ways to prevent HIV and STIs such as using condoms, knowing your partner(s) status, taking medication as prescribed and accessing syringe service programs for new and unused injection equipment.
Search below for available services to help support you.
Definition
Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is medicine (pills or shots) that can reduce the chance of getting HIV. Taking PrEP as prescribed by a health care provider can reduce the chance of getting HIV by up to 99% from sex and by at least 74% from sharing needles or other injection equipment.
PrEP Navigation is a service that helps people start and stay on PrEP. PrEP Navigators support a person’s specific needs. PrEP Navigators can:
– Find and link people to PrEP services and care
– Help with health insurance and financial assistance programs
– Find and reduce barriers to care
– Provide education to influence health-related attitudes and behaviors
– Provide information about post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP)
Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is medicine that can reduce the chance of HIV after a possible exposure such as sex without a condom, non-consensual sex, a needlestick, or a broken condom during sex. PEP must be started within 72 hours (3 days) after a possible exposure. The sooner PEP is started, the better. Taking PEP does not guarantee HIV will be prevented.
To find local providers, search below or visit PrEP and PEP, or search below for more information.
Definition
Doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis (Doxy PEP) can reduce the chance of getting syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea. Doxy PEP is recommended for gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men and transgender women who have had a bacterial STI in the last year. Doxy PEP should be taken as soon as possible within 72, preferably within 24 hours of sex.
Definition
Programs that provide information about ways to reduce the chance of getting HIV and STIs.
Definition
HIV and STI prevention supplies can help stop the spread of HIV, STIs, and other blood borne diseases. These programs distribute:
– Condoms
– Lubricants
– Dental dams
– Safer injection equipment
– And/or other supplies
Definition
Groups of individuals that provide advocacy for people living with HIV and promote health equity among HIV prevention and care programs. These groups seek to increase the availability and use of HIV-related services by making special efforts to ensure that communities are aware of and have equitable access to available services. The goal of these groups is to increase community awareness and compassion around HIV in Michigan.
HIV and STI Testing
Getting tested for HIV and STIs is important if you are having sex or sharing needles. National guidelines recommend HIV and STI testing to reduce your chances of getting or spreading HIV and STIs. More frequent testing is recommended for pregnant women, men who have sex with men, people who share injection drug equipment, and people who have had an STI within the past six months.
Search below to find free and low-cost testing.
Definition
Getting tested is the only way to know if you have HIV. An HIV test is a simple test done by taking a blood or saliva sample. Many organizations that provide HIV testing also provide pre-test and post-test counseling which includes:
– Information about HIV
– HIV prevention education
– Emotional support to help deal with the testing process and test results
– Information and referrals to other HIV-related services
– Referral to a PrEP Navigator
Definition
If you are sexually active, getting tested for STIs is important to help protect your health. STIs often have no symptoms. If left untreated, STIs can cause serious health problems. The best way to know if you have an STI is to get tested.
Make sure you have an open and honest conversation about your sexual history and STI testing with your health care provider. If you are not comfortable talking with your provider, there are many clinics that provide confidential and free or low-cost STI testing.
HIV Care
HIV care is ongoing medical and support services that help people living with HIV. While in HIV care, people are prescribed medication to lower the amount of virus within their body to an undetectable level to prevent the spread of HIV.
Search below for available services to help support you.
Definition
Programs that provide medical and support services for people with HIV.
Definition
Medication and insurance assistance programs cover prescription medication and vaccines and make insurance free or more affordable for Michigan residents with HIV who qualify.
Harm Reduction
Harm reduction programs aim to prevent disease, reduce overdose deaths, and connect people with substance use disorder to treatment, recovery, and other health services when they are ready.
Definition
Syringe Service Programs (SSPs) provide safe disposal of used syringes, access to sterile syringes, overdose medication and prevention resources, health education, and connections to treatment and other healthcare services.
SSPs help to reduce the spread of HIV and hepatitis C. Participants will have access to sterile injection equipment, wound care, medical care, infectious disease testing and linkage into care, sharps disposal, and overdose prevention medication and education.
Definition
Programs that provide for the collection and safe disposal of “sharps” including syringes, needles with attached tubing, lancets and other materials that have been used by individuals with serious health conditions such as diabetes who manage their care at home. Included are collection boxes and kiosks for used sharps made available to the public by hospitals, pharmacies, health departments, mobile van programs, housing projects, police and fire stations and other community-based organizations; residential pickup services that give people special containers for their used sharps that can be placed at the curbside and picked up trained special waste handlers; and mail back programs that give people special containers that can be filled and mailed to designated facilities for disposal.
Definition
It is important to get tested for hepatitis C, especially if you think you have been exposed. Many people do not have symptoms, so testing is the only way to know if you have hepatitis C. To learn more about who should be tested for hepatitis C, see this page from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
To learn more about who should be tested, see Testing for Hepatitis C.
Definition
Hepatitis C is curable! There is no vaccine to prevent hepatitis C, but there are oral medications (pills) available called direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) that are:
– Easy to take
– Have very few side effects
– Cure more than 95% of people in just 8-12 weeks
If you have been diagnosed with hepatitis C, find a hepatitis C treatment provider near you by searching here.