HIV & AIDS
HIV/AIDS continues to be a health issue important for us to talk about in the City of Long Beach.
The City has many educational and prevention programs to help people stay HIV negative and to
give support and services to people who are living with HIV and AIDS.
HIV Questions & Answers
HIV Testing
HIV/AIDS Resources
Ask For It Long Beach – Ask For It is a campaign developed by the City of Long Beach to get women
to test for HIV. The commercial and video for Ask For It were shown through Charter Cable. See
the videos and get information about HIV/AIDS and testing at www.askforitlb.com.
HIV Stops With Me – A national campaign featuring spokesmodels from Long Beach and other cities
helping people living with HIV share their stories and feelings on stopping the HIV epidemic.
www.hivstopswithme.com
HIV/AIDS Monitoring Reports – Provides data collected by the Health Department on AIDS cases for the
City of Long Beach.
http://www.longbeach.gov/health/docs/hiv_reports.asp
HIV/AIDS Court-Mandated Education Classes
No pre-registration necessary. Registration is done on a first come first serve basis. Sessions are
as follows:
2nd Tuesday of the month 5:30pm -7:30pm - SPANISH SPEAKING CLASS
Last Tuesday of the month 5:30pm - 7:30pm - ENGLISH SPEAKING CLASS
Cost: $25.00 Call 562-570-7916 for more information.
For more information, call (562) 570-7916.
View Map for Directions.
You can also find out where the HIV mobile testing van will be by texting LBTEST to 41411.
HIV Q&A
Teens and young adults have, no doubt, heard about HIV & AIDS from teachers, parents, friends,
television, or in books. Working with youth, we’ve pulled together some of the questions people
have about this virus. If you have other questions, feel free to ask them on our myspace page, and,
perhaps, we’ll add your question to the list.
- HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. HIV is the virus that may lead to the disease AIDS. HIV is only found in humans and it affects a person’s immune system (the system that helps our bodies fight off diseases).
- AIDS stands for Acquire Immune Deficiency Syndrome. AIDS is the disease that can occur when people with HIV have trouble fighting off infections (germs).
- HIV is the virus that is passed from one person to another. In time, it can lead to the disease known as AIDS. A person can only develop AIDS if he/she has HIV.
- HIV is passed by certain behaviors that cause a person to share certain body fluids with another person. There are 4 fluids that can transmit (pass) HIV. Those fluids are:
- Blood
- Semen
- Vaginal fluids
- Breast milk
- You can only get HIV by sharing these fluids with another person who has HIV (HIV positive). So, how might that happen? There are certain things that people do where they may share fluids with another person. Examples include of behaviors that may transmit HIV include:
- Unprotected sex – vaginal, anal, and oral
- Sharing needles or works for drug use (e.g. heroine, steroids)
- Breast feeding
- Needle sticks that can occur while working in a medical setting
Examples of activities that DO NOT transmit HIV include
- Giving blood
- Sharing food or utensils
- Being bitten by an insect
- Swimming in pools
- Sharing saliva (spit), sweat, or tears
Doing things like using condoms and cleaning needles can reduce the chances of a person getting HIV.
See the page on prevention for more information.
- No, it is NOT true that only gay men get HIV. As mentioned in Question #4, anyone who has unprotected sex, shares needles or works, or participates in any of the other behaviors listed above is at risk if they share fluids with someone who is HIV positive.
- While it is true that the numbers of African-American and Latino people in the United States is increasing, it does not mean that these groups are the only ones being affected by HIV & AIDS. That is why it is important for people to protect themselves and know the risks. It is also important for people to get tested for HIV (see the section on HIV testing).
- Once again, it is not what a person “is” that makes her/him at risk for HIV, but what a person does. It is possible for a woman to transmit HIV to a female partner if the two exchange (share) body fluids such as vaginal fluids or blood. For example, if during sex one woman who has HIV shares a sex toy with her partner, her partner is at risk for getting HIV.
- There are lots of signs and symptoms that are common for people with HIV or AIDS. However, the ONLY way a person can tell if he/she is HIV positive is to be tested. A person can get tested at many locations in the Long Beach area. To find out more, see the section on HIV testing.
- The only fluids that can transmit (pass) HIV are blood, vaginal secretions, semen, and breast milk. If you kiss someone and share saliva, you are not at risk for HIV infection. But, it is important to remember that sometimes, people have cuts or open sores in their mouths which may bleed, so there may be a chance of transmitting the virus through blood in this case, but even that would be unlikely (rare).
- While it is true that Magic Johnson, like many people living with HIV or AIDS, is healthy, it is not true that he no longer has AIDS. He is still HIV positive. However, he is able to stay healthy because of the medicine that he is taking to keep the amount of HIV virus in his body (called viral load) very low. The medicine helps his immune system to be able to work properly in order to fight off infections (germs).
HIV Testing
| How can a person test for HIV? |
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HIV tests are available for free or low cost at many clinics and community agencies in Long Beach.
A doctor can also provide HIV tests. HIV tests do not look for HIV. Instead, these tests look for
the HIV antibody, something your body makes to fight off an antigen (germ).
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| What are some of the ways that a person can be tested for HIV? |
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Blood tests are used at many places. At a clinic or other facility where testing is done,
a needle will be used to take a person’s blood, which is then tested at a laboratory for HIV.
Results are usually ready in 1-2 weeks.
Oral tests are also available, where a swab is used to take a sample of the fluids and mucous
in the mouth. Just like with the blood test, the sample is sent to a lab for testing.
At many clinics and facilities, a rapid test is used, and a person can get his/her results in
20 minutes.
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| What is the window period? |
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The window period is the time from when a person was first infected with HIV to the time when
a person’s body makes enough antibodies for an HIV test to be able to find those antibodies.
Usually, it takes about 3 months for a person’s body to make enough antibodies for an HIV test
to find them. So, if a woman has unprotected sex on July 1 and goes for an HIV test on July 15,
it is possible that she is infected. BUT, because she is still in the “window period” (it’s only
been 15 days, not three months), her body probably has not made enough antibodies for the test to
find them – the results will probably come back negative.
If he/she returns for testing three months later (without having unprotected sex or participating
in some other type of risky behavior), and her test result is negative, she can be sure the results
are truly negative because she’s out of the window period.
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| HIV Testing in Long Beach |
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HIV testing is available on a walk-in basis (no appointment needed) at the City of Long Beach Department of Health & Human Services, 2525 Grand Avenue in room 106 (off of Willow between Redondo and Lakewood).
Hours are as follows: Monday - Thursday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm; Friday 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Call 562-570-4315 for more information.
For a map, click here.
You can also find out where the HIV mobile testing van will be by texting LBTEST to 41411.
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Other STDs
Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) are infections that can be passed from one person to another during
sex. Each year, millions of people become infected with an STD. Many of these people are teenagers and
young adults. So, what are the TOP 5 THINGS you should know about STDs? Let’s count down...
5…STDs are COMMON, especially in teens.
4…Most people with STDs don’t have any symptoms.
3…Having an STD isn’t fun – they can cause sores, bumps, pain, burning, and other problems, in addition to long-term effects like cancer, liver disease, and even death.
2…Testing for STDs is easy (and free in many places). Just remember there are different kinds of tests (such as urine or blood tests) for different STDs.
1…Abstinence (not having sex) is the BEST way to protect yourself against STDS. However, if you do have sex, condoms can help reduce the chances of getting or passing an STD.
Want to know more?...
STD Symptoms
Health Problems
Curable vs. Non-curable
STD Chart
Getting an STD Check-Up
There are two ways that STDs can be passed from one person to another. One way is through
fluids – exchanging certain body fluids with another person can put you at risk for an STD. The body
fluids known to transmit STDs include semen, vaginal fluids, blood (for HIV & hepatitis), and breast
milk (HIV). If you abstain from sex, it is extremely difficult to exchange these fluids with another
person, which is why abstinence is so safe. If you are having sex, condoms help prevent you from coming
into contact with another person’s fluids.
The other way that STDs are passed is by direct contact (skin-to-skin). Some infections, like herpes
and syphilis, are passed when the skin in the genital areas comes into contact and rubs against the
skin of another person who has an STD. Male and female condoms help to reduce the risk of passing
these diseases from one person to another.
STDs are not passed through toilet seats. Crabs (pubic lice) and scabies can sometimes be passed by
sharing towels, or sleeping in the same bed with someone who has crabs or scabies, but most STDs can
only be passed through sex.
Symptoms
Meet the STD Symptoms...
Bumpy…No, it’s not one of the seven dwarves. Bumps and warts can show up on the outside of the vagina,
on the penis, or around the anus when people have certain sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). In most
cases, these bumps or warts are caused by a virus called HPV (the human papilomavirus). In fact, HPV is
one of the most common STDs – there are a lot of people with this virus. But, not everyone who has HPV
develops warts that you can see. Yes, HPV is pretty sneaky. You can have it without knowing it, and your
partner can have it and not have any signs or symptoms that you can see. So, if you’re going to have sex,
it’s really important to use a condom, which can help lower the chances of HPV getting passed from one
person to another.
It’s also very important for women who are sexually active to get a test from her doctor each year called
a Pap smear or Pap test. This test is helps in finding cells that may be cause cancer in the cervix, which
is where HPV can cause problems.
So what else should you do if you are worried about HPV?
Talk…Be willing to have a conversation with your partner about sex before you have sex. Ask your partner
about the last time he or she had an STD check up, or took an HIV test. Yes, it might be weird, but perhaps
you’ll learn something about your partner you didn’t know before.
Test…If you’re having sex, it’s important for you to get a “sex check-up” on a regular basis, just to make
sure everything is alright. And it doesn’t hurt to bring your partner, too. (Go to
STD Check-Up
for more information on where to go for testing and what happens when you go to a clinic for a check-up.)
Protect…And, of course, if you are having sex, you always have to use a condom. Always.
Sometimes, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) cause a discharge (flow or drip) from the vagina or penis.
For guys, a drip from the penis is definitely a problem. This discharge can be clear, cloudy white, yellow,
or green. There may be a lot, or just a little. Sometimes, it may cause burning or pain when he urinates
(pees). No matter what it looks like or feels like, a guy with a drip from his penis needs to go get an STD
check-up.
Girls, on the other hand, often have a normal flow from the vagina even when she does not have an infection.
But, she can also have discharge that is NOT normal. How can she tell the difference? If she has burning
or pain when she urinates, that is a sign that there’s a problem. Also, if the flow from the vagina has an
odor or is a different color than her normal discharge, there’s a good chance that it isn’t a “normal”
discharge.
So what can you do if you if you think you have a discharge that isn’t normal?
Talk… Ask your partner about the last time he or she took an HIV test, or had an STD check up. Yes, it
might be weird, but perhaps you’ll learn something about your partner you didn’t know before.
Test…If have symptoms of an STD, it’s important for you to get a “sex check-up” on a regular basis, just
to make sure everything is alright. And it doesn’t hurt to bring your partner, too. (Go to
STD Check-Up
for more information on where to go for testing and what happens when you go to a clinic for a check-up.)
Protect…And, of course, if you are having sex, you always have to use a condom. Always.
“Invisible?” you say. Yes, invisible. Believe it or not, many STDs are invisible, meaning they do not cause
any symptoms that you can see. You can’t see any symptoms, and your partner cannot see any symptoms.
However, even if they do not cause any visible symptoms, STDs can still be passed from one person to another.
So maybe someone told you to get a good look at your partner before you have sex. That’s a great idea…but
it’s not enough. What else do you need to do?
Talk…Be willing to have a conversation with your partner about sex before you have sex. Ask your partner
about the last time he or she took an HIV test, or had an STD check up. Yes, it might be weird, but perhaps
you’ll learn something about your partner you didn’t know before.
Test…If you’re having sex, it’s important for you to get a “sex check-up” on a regular basis, just to make
sure everything is alright. And it doesn’t hurt to bring your partner, too. (Go to
STD Check-Up
for more information on where to go for testing and what happens when you go to a clinic for a check-up.)
Protect…And, of course, if you are having sex, you always have to use a condom. Always.
Sometimes it’s because your pants are too tight. Sometimes it’s because you used a little too much
scented bath gel when you showered. But sometimes, it’s because there is some kind of infection down there
that just makes you itch like crazy. So, what should you do if you feel the need to scratch your genitals
every five minutes or soak your bottom in a hot tub of water all day?
Well, the one thing not to do is to try to diagnose yourself. That means that you shouldn’t assume you know
what’s making you itch, and then go buy something at the drug store that you think will help. What if you’re
wrong? Not only will you end up with the wrong treatment, but you still won’t get rid of the itching.
The best thing to do is to go to a clinic or visit your doctor.
What makes people itch???
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Scabies:
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Scabies are basically little bugs that like to burrow (dig) under the skin. They especially like
the warm parts of our bodies, such as in between the fingers, under the armpits, and on our genitals.
Scabies are easily passed through close contact (like sex), but can also be passed between family
members or roommates who share sheets or clothing. Scabies can be treated with over-the-counter
medication, but it’s always a good idea to go to the doctor to get checked, especially if you are
not sure what’s making you itch.
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Yeast infections:
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Yeast infections are very common, especially for women. Most women will have at least one yeast
infection during their lives. Aside from being itchy, yeast infections often cause a discharge
(flow) from the vagina that is white and thick like cottage cheese. For most people, yeast
infections are simply bothersome. However, they can cause problems for pregnant women. Some
women who have had many yeast infections have been told by their doctors to purchase medications
to treat their yeast infections if they have any symptoms. But, if you have never had a yeast
infection before, it’s always a good idea to go to the doctor to be sure since there are many
other infections that can cause symptoms that look like yeast infections.
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Herpes:
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This is a non-curable STD caused by a virus. Herpes causes blisters in the genital areas, which
burst after a few days and become painful, red sores. The sores go away after a few days up to a
couple of weeks, but can come back. Before a person has an “outbreak” of these blisters, he or she
may have a tingling sensation in the genitals, or itching. This is something called “prodrome”, and
is a sign that a person with herpes is about to have an outbreak. Not everyone with herpes will have
these symptoms. If you know you have herpes, and would like some more information about prodrome,
talk to your healthcare provider, who can give you more information.
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Genital Warts:
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Warts are caused by the human papilloma virus, which can be passed from one person to another during
sex. When a person has warts, they usually don’t hurt. However, they can itch. Since they can
bleed easily if irritated, it is important for someone who has genital warts not to scratch them.
They can be removed with medication from a doctor, so the first thing to do if you think you have
genital warts is to go to a healthcare provider.
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Crabs:
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Crabs are a lot like head lice, except they attach to the hair around the genitals (they are also
known as pubic lice). They get their name because of their shape – they look like little crabs.
Just like scabies, crabs are passed from one person to another through close personal contact
(like sex). And, despite what you may have heard, it’s not easy to get crabs from a toilet seat.
Crabs survive by biting our skin and feeding off of our blood. The irritation from the bites causes
itching and redness. If a person with crabs scratches too much, he or she can develop a skin
infection. Crabs can be treated with over-the-counter medications, but it’s always a good idea
to see a doctor if you think you have crabs.
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Allergic Reactions:
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Many people have skin that is very sensitive to chemicals in items that we use everyday.
Ingredients in soaps, lotions, and powders that we use to make us smell good can often cause
irritation or a rash. Some people may also be allergic to latex condoms or the ingredient used
in some lubricants called non-oxynol 9. If you have itching or irritation in your genitals and are
not sure why, talk to a healthcare provider. It’s also a good idea to avoid using products such as
perfumed soaps or lotions on the skin on and around your genitals.
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Pain. It’s probably the symptom that people think of most often when they think of sexually transmitted
diseases (STDs). Some STDs cause pain in the abdomen (lower belly) for women. Another STD may hurt
because it causes open sores (genital herpes). And some STDs cause so much pain and burning when a person
urinates (pees), that he or she will almost run to a doctor to get the medicine needed to stop the pain.
STDs, however, are not the only reasons that people have pain in their genitals. But, if you do have pain,
it is very important to see a doctor right away – pain is often a sign that there is a problem. It’s true,
some people have certain types of pain on a regular basis (like when a woman has menstrual cramps), but any
unusual pain, burning, or sharp pains in the genital area need to be checked out by a doctor or nurse.
Just remember, pain is one way that your body lets you know there is a problem, but many times there are no
signs or symptoms if a person has an STD. If you are having sex, remember…
Talk…Be willing to have a conversation with your partner about sex before you have sex. Ask your partner
about the last time he or she took an HIV test, or had an STD check up. Yes, it might be weird, but perhaps
you’ll learn something about your partner you didn’t know before.
Test…If you’re having sex, it’s important for you to get a “sex check-up” on a regular basis, just to make
sure everything is alright. And it doesn’t hurt to bring your partner, too. (Go to
STD Check-Up
for more information on where to go for testing and what happens when you go to a clinic for a check-up.)
Protect…And, of course, if you are having sex, you always have to use a condom. Always.
Complications
The consequences of getting an STD can be huge, especially if the disease is not treated. Problems from
STDs include infertility/sterility (not being able to have a baby), cancers, liver disease, and problems
during pregnancy & childbirth. STDs can also be painful, or cause symptoms that make it difficult to go
to work or school. And, of course, it may be hard to begin a relationship if you or your partner has an STD.
But having an STD is not the end of your life. Many STDs can be cured, and treatments are available that
help with symptoms. Male and female condoms also help protect against passing STDs to others. If you’d
like more information about what to do if you have an STD, talk to your healthcare provider, or call the
Long Beach Health Department at (562) 570-7924.
Curable vs. Non-Curable
There are many diseases that can be passed sexually. Some of these diseases can be cured, and some cannot.
These STDs that cannot be cured are caused by viruses.
The STDs caused by viruses cannot be cured with medication. Like other viruses (a cold or the flu, for
example), there are medicines we can take to help with the symptoms or make us feel better, but the
medicines do not kill the virus. Therefore, in general, STDs caused by viruses (HIV, genital herpes,
hepatitis B, and the human papilloma virus) are not curable.
Other STDs (like chlamydia or gonorrhea) are caused by other types of germs (like bacteria), and can be
killed with medications provided by a healthcare practitioner. But, if you have one of these STDs and
take medicine to cure the infection, you can get it again if you put yourself at risk.
STD Check-Up
So, you’re finally ready to go and get checked for STDs. That’s great! But you may be wondering what
happens when a person goes to an STD clinic. All clinics operate differently but, in general, this is what
you may find:
1 – A staff person will take a medical history, meaning he/she will ask you a lot of questions about your
health. It might seem like the questions are very personal, but it’s important for the staff to know as much
about your health as possible to help give you the right information and care. All information that you
provide is kept CONFIDENTIAL, meaning it won’t be shared with your parents, friends, regular doctor –
ANYONE, who is not part of your care at the clinic (like the doctor or nurse helping you).
2 – You will have a chance to tell the staff person about any signs or symptoms that you might have.
3 – A doctor or nurse will need to take samples of your blood and urine (pee) to be checked in the laboratory.
He or she will also check your skin, mouth, genitals, and anal area for blisters, bumps, sores, discharge
(drip or flow), rashes, swelling, or other signs of an STD.
4 – You may be able to get some test results right away at the clinic. For certain tests, you may need to
return after one to two weeks to get your results.
5 – If you do have an STD, the staff at the clinic will give you medication or give you a prescription that
will need to be filled at a pharmacy. Sometimes, a doctor or nurse will have you take the medicine right
there in the clinic. Always be sure to finish any medicine given to you, and don’t share your medicine with
your partner.
6 – It is important that your sex partner(s) go in to be tested and treated if you are told that you have
an STD. You can talk to your doctor or nurse about the best way of helping your partner get tested.
Also remember…
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Many clinics use a “walk-in” system, where you do not have to make an appointment. When looking for
a clinic, be sure to ask if they take walk-in patients. If you are a walk-in client, you may have to
be patient – sometimes, the wait can be longer than you expect.
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Some clinics only see patients by appointment. If possible, call a clinic first to learn how they
see patients – you don’t want to take a trip all the way across town to find out that there are no
more appointments left for the day.
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In California, anyone age 12 and older can receive STD and HIV testing without their parents’
permission.
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Depending upon where you go for services, there may be a cost. However, many services are free
through programs like Family PACT. If you are not able to pay for services, ask if you can sign up
for
Family PACT or any other kind of program that can
pay for your examination.
Also, check out this video that shows what happens when a person goes in
for HIV testing.
Here are some clinics in Long Beach that provide STD testing and sign ups for Family PACT:
Long Beach Department of Health & Human Services, 2525 Grand Avenue (off of Willow between Redondo and
Lakewood) in Long Beach – Call for an appointment at 562-570-4314.
The Children’s Clinic, 1057 Pine Avenue (at 10th) – Call 562-366-5900 for Walk-In hours.
Memorial Women’s Center for Family Planning, 2701 Atlantic Avenue, Ste. B – Call 562-933-2998 for more
information.
Reproductive Associates Medical Group, 1045 Atlantic Avenue, Ste. 508 in Long Beach – Call 562-437-1882
for more information.
Planned Parenthood, Lakewood, 5525 Atlantic Avenue, Ste. 508 in Lakewood – Call 562-866-0656
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