HIV & STDs Testing

ACCESS Health Plus is committed to providing comprehensive, multicultural HIV/AIDS care, education and prevention services that are effective and responsive to the Central Florida communities.

Please note: At times, treatment may not be prescribed during your initial visit. Treatment is provided at the discretion of the doctor. In some cases, the doctor may need to wait for test results before prescribing treatment. If necessary, you may be scheduled to return for treatment at a later time.

Cost should not be a barrier to you being healthy

RAPID HIV TESTING

Access Health Plus provides free confidential HIV testing with Sure Check or Insti which are rapid tests that uses a small amount of blood by pricking the finger with a lancet and results given in 10-15 minutes.

If the test results are Reactive or preliminary positive, then a confirmatory test is done through a blood draw. The blood sample is sent to a laboratory for the screening of the HIV antibodies and results can take 2 weeks.

Testing for HIV is the only way to know for sure if you have the virus that causes AIDS. Many people do not have any symptoms and can live for many years without knowing they have the virus. Testing at Access Health Plus for HIV is quick, easy, painless, confidential and FREE.

WHAT TO EXPECT IN YOUR HIV TESTING SESSION

If the test results are Reactive or preliminary positive, then a confirmatory test is done through a blood draw. The blood sample is sent to a laboratory for the screening of the HIV antibodies and results can take 2 weeks.

Pre Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)

PrEP, or pre-exposure prophylaxis, is an HIV prevention method in which people who are HIV negative take HIV medicine daily to reduce their risk of getting HIV if they are exposed to the virus. PrEP can stop HIV from taking hold and spreading throughout your body.

PrEP is highly effective when taken as indicated. Your risk of getting HIV from sex can be even lower if you combine PrEP with condoms and other prevention methods.

PrEP is only available by prescription. If you think PrEP may be right for you, contact us.. Because PrEP is for people who are HIV-negative, you’ll have to get an HIV test before starting PrEP and you may need to get other tests to make sure it’s safe for you to use PrEP.

Is PrEP Right for You?

PrEP may benefit you if you test negative for HIV and you have had anal or vaginal sex in the past 6 months, and you:

have a sexual partner with HIV (especially if the partner has an unknown or detectable viral load),
have not consistently used a condom, or
have been diagnosed with an STD in the past 6 months.
you inject drugs and
have an injection partner with HIV, or
share needles, syringes, or other injection equipment.

PrEP is highly effective at preventing HIV when taken as indicated.

PrEP reduces the risk of getting HIV from sex by about 99% when taken as prescribed. Among people who inject drugs, it reduces the risk by at least 74% when taken as prescribed. PrEP is much less effective when it isn’t taken consistently.

Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP)

PEP, or post-exposure prophylaxis, is a short course of HIV medicines taken very soon after a possible exposure to HIV to prevent the virus from taking hold in your body.

PEP is effective in preventing HIV infection when it is taken correctly, but it’s not 100% effective. The sooner you start PEP after a possible HIV exposure, the better.

If you are HIV-negative and you think you may have been recently exposed to HIV, contact us immediately or go to an emergency room right away. You must start it within 72 hours after you were exposed to HIV, or it won’t work. Every hour counts.

How Do You Know If You Need PEP?

PEP may be right for you if you are HIV-negative or don’t know your HIV status, and you think you may have been exposed to HIV in the last 72 hours:

During sex (for example, you had a condom break with a partner of unknown HIV status or a partner with HIV who is not virally suppressed)
Through shared needles, syringes, or other equipment used to inject drugs, or
Through sexual assault

Contact your health care provider immediately or go to an emergency room or urgent care clinic right away.

How Long Do You Need to Take PEP?

If you are prescribed PEP, you will need to take the HIV medicines every day for 28 days.
You will also need to return to your health care provider at certain times while taking PEP and after you finish taking it for HIV testing and other tests.

PEP should be used only in emergency situations. It is not intended to replace regular use of other HIV prevention methods.

If you feel that you might exposed to HIV frequently, talk to your health care professional about PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis).

STDs TESTING

GONORRHEA

Samples for this screening is collected through urine and the specimen is sent to LabCorp for results. Results may take up to one week.

SYPHILIS

A blood sample is collected through a blood draw and the specimen is sent to LabCorp for results. Results may take up to two weeks. A rapid test option may be available in which results can be given in just 10 minutes.

CHLAMYDIA

Samples for this screening is collected through urine and the specimen is sent to LabCorp for results. Results may take up to one week.

HIV/AIDS

HIV IS A VIRUS COMMONLY SEEN IN OUR SEXUALLY ACTIVE COMMUNITY OF ALL RACES, ALL GENDERS, AND OF ALL SEXUAL ORIENTATIONS.  

HIV is not a deadly disease if you treat it on time

Get your life back, ACCESS your treatment now.

HIV care must be individualized for each patient based on their unique needs and symptoms. Treatment consists of daily anti-retroviral therapy (ART) which includes a combination of HIV medicines known as an HIV regimen.HIV regimens are so advanced and effective as one pill a day and even injectable treatments. This personalized treatment is designed to control the infection, manage symptoms, and prevent the infection from developing into AIDS. While ART cannot cure HIV, it can help those with HIV live longer, healthier lives, and reduce the likelihood of spreading HIV.

Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C is a viral infection that affects the liver. It is often spread through contact with infected blood, such as sharing needles or through sexual contact.

Many individuals with hepatitis C have no symptoms for years, and it can cause serious liver damage if left untreated. At our website, we provide information and resources on hepatitis C, including prevention strategies and treatment options.

Our team of experts can offer guidance on how to reduce the risk of contracting hepatitis C and how to get tested and treated if necessary. We are committed to helping individuals stay informed about their health and providing support for those affected by hepatitis C. With early diagnosis and proper treatment, many individuals with hepatitis C can be cured and live healthy, fulfilling lives.

The abbreviation HCV can stand for either the virus or the infection it causes

HCV can be either a short-term (acute) or a long-term (chronic) illness:

Acute HCV

Acute HCV occurs within 6 months after exposure. In most people, acute HCV becomes chronic HCV.

Chronic HCV

Chronic HCV can last a lifetime. Without treatment, chronic HCV can cause liver cancer or severe liver damage that can lead to liver failure.

What is HCV?

HCV is a contagious infection that can spread from person to person.

How does HCV spread from person to person?

HCV is spread mainly through contact with the blood of a person who has HCV. In the United States, HCV is spread mainly by sharing needles or other injection drug equipment (works) with someone who has HCV. HCV can also be spread through sexual contact. While the risk of transmission through sexual contact is low, the risk is increased in people with HIV.

What is the connection between HIV and HCV?

Because both HIV and HCV can spread in blood, a major risk factor for both HIV and HCV infection is injection drug use. Sharing needles or other drug injection equipment increases the risk of contact with HIV- or HCV-infected blood.

In people with HIV/HCV coinfection, HIV may cause chronic HCV to advance faster. Whether HCV causes HIV to advance faster is unclear.

Treatment

Doctors treat hepatitis C with antiviral medicines that attack the virus and can cure the disease in most cases.

Several newer medicines, called direct-acting antiviral medicines, have been approved to treat hepatitis C since 2013. Studies show that these medicines can cure chronic hepatitis C in most people with this disease. These medicines can also cure acute hepatitis C. In some cases, doctors recommend waiting to see if an acute infection becomes chronic before starting treatment.

You may need to take medicines for 8 to 24 weeks to cure hepatitis C. Your doctor will prescribe medicines and recommend a length of treatment based on:

which hepatitis C genotype you have
how much liver damage you have
whether you have been treated for hepatitis C in the past

Your doctor may order blood tests during and after your treatment. Blood tests can show whether the treatment is working. Hepatitis C medicines cure the infection in most people who complete treatment.

Hepatitis C medicines may cause side effects. Talk with your doctor about the side effects of treatment. Check with your doctor before taking any other prescription or over-the-counter medicines.

vaccinations

Vaccines for sexually transmitted infections (STDs) are a powerful tool for preventing the spread of these infections. Currently, there are vaccines available for two STDs: human papillomavirus (HPV) and hepatitis B. The HPV vaccine can prevent certain strains of the virus that can lead to cervical cancer, as well as other types of cancer and genital warts. The hepatitis B vaccine can prevent chronic liver infections and liver cancer. At our website, we provide information and resources on STDs vaccines, including how they work, who should receive them, and where to get them. Our team of experts can answer questions and provide guidance on how to make informed decisions about STDs vaccination. We believe that vaccines are an important part of promoting sexual health and preventing the spread of STDs, and we are committed to helping individuals make informed choices about their health.

TRANSGENDER MEDICINE

Transgender medicine is a field of medicine that focuses on providing medical care to transgender individuals.

This can include hormone therapy to help individuals transition to their desired gender, as well as surgical procedures such as gender affirmation surgery. Transgender medicine also involves providing support for mental health issues that may arise, such as gender dysphoria or depression. The goal of transgender medicine is to help individuals achieve their desired gender identity and live healthy, fulfilling lives. It is an important and rapidly evolving field that is helping to improve the lives of many transgender individuals.

MENTAL HEALTH

Mental health is an important aspect of overall well-being. We offer a range of resources and information to help individuals navigate challenges related to sexual health. Our team of trained professionals is available to answer questions and provide support on topics such as sexual identity, communication, and intimacy. We can also connect individuals with mental health professionals who specialize in sexual health to provide personalized care and treatment. Our goal is to provide a safe and confidential space for individuals to explore their sexual health concerns and develop strategies for improving their mental and emotional well-being.

Safer Sex Suplies & Trainings

We are dedicated to promoting safe and healthy sexual practices. We offer a wide range of safer sex supplies, including condoms, dental dams, and lubricants, to help individuals protect themselves and their partners from sexually transmitted infections (STDs) and unintended pregnancies. In addition to providing high-quality products, we also offer training and education on how to use these supplies effectively. Our team of experts can provide guidance on topics such as proper condom use, negotiating safer sex practices with partners, and understanding the risks and benefits of different contraceptive methods. We are committed to helping individuals make informed choices about their sexual health and providing the tools they need to stay safe and healthy.

STDs Treatment with our Allies

The goal of HIV counseling and testing is to assist individuals in assessing their risk and understanding their test results and to help them develop a personalized prevention plan.

Counseling includes notifying the patient of the availability of partner counseling and referral services, the benefits of such services, and the confidentiality protections available as part of such services.

HIV-infected persons and thos0e at risk for HIV are referred to needed services, including substance abuse treatment, Healthy Start, prevention case management, and medical care.

Services Locations

Dr Ernesto Lamadrid & Dr. William J. Robbins MD

122 Sproule Ave., Suite 130, Kissimmee, FL 34741.

Shaun Barber ARNP y Jesus Cheverez ARNP

122 Sproule Ave., Suite 130, Kissimmee, FL 34741.

OPAL MEDICAL LLC

Dr. Ramon Ramirez, MD

7421 N University Dr Ste 212, Tamarac, FL, 33321

Mistr

122 Sproule Ave., Suite 130, Kissimmee, FL 34741.

Interested in becoming an HIV Counselor and Tester?

The goal of HIV counseling and testing is to assist individuals in assessing their risk and understanding their test results and to help them develop a personalized prevention plan. Counseling includes notifying the patient of the availability of partner counseling and referral services, the benefits of such services, and the confidentiality protections available as part of such services. HIV-infected persons and thos0e at risk for HIV are referred to needed services, including substance abuse treatment, Healthy Start, prevention case management, and medical care.

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