Author: Kaiju Manera, BSPH, CHW - HIV Advocate at The Arlene Cooper Community Health Center
In honor of STI Awareness Week, the Arlene Cooper Community Health Center (also known as ACCHC, which is in the same building as The Center) is offering STI testing services, free of cost, from April 13th to April 19th. Testing includes HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis. If you’ve ever wondered how STIs are spread or how the testing process works, you’re in the right place.
The Testing Process – From Start to Finish
ACCHC offers testing services at the building located at 401 S. Maryland Pkwy, Las Vegas, NV 89101. We accept both appointments and walk-in patients. Once you’re in the clinic, we’ll get you checked in by having you answer some screening questions. Then, one of our HIV Advocates will take you into a testing room. Here is the process from then:
1. Your Advocate will ask some follow-up questions regarding your social history.
If we notice something that could be a barrier to getting care, we will offer referrals to services as appropriate. You can decline the referrals, as you have complete autonomy over your health.
2. The HIV test will be conducted.
The HIV test is a rapid test that uses blood from a finger prick. Results come back within 20 minutes. Printed copies of your results can be provided. If you are already living with HIV and know your status, you may skip this step.
3. A urine sample is collected for the chlamydia and gonorrhea tests.
The urine sample uses both an oral and anal swab to have the most complete testing for these STIs.
4. You will exit our testing room to enter our laboratory (just down the hall) to complete a blood draw for the syphilis test.
After this step, you have completed the testing process and then you are free to go.
5. Laboratory results (chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis testing) will come back within 3-5 business days.
You will receive a phone call if any of your results are positive. You can also check your results through the laboratory portal (CPL for Culinary Health Fund members, Quest Diagnostics for all other patients) or through our clinic app called Healow.
What to Expect
1. Visits are confidential, meaning that we won’t use your name in the waiting room. Dates of birth will be used instead. This also means that your personal health information is private and protected.
2. We accept most insurance and have a cash pay option for those who are uninsured. Insurance navigation is one of the referrals that we can provide if you are uninsured/underinsured.
3. Advocates will gauge your risk level for HIV and STIs and help you come up with a risk reduction plan during your visit. Questions you may have about HIV/STI transmission and prevention can be answered by our Advocates or Medical Assistant.
4. Risk reduction methods are provided to every patient. When you are done with the visit, you can bring home a goodie bag of external/internal condoms, dental dams, and lube. This safe sex kit is completely up to your preferences and can be a combination of the types of supplies we have.
Why Should I Get Tested?
Knowing your HIV/STI status can help keep you and your partners healthy. Both HIV and STIs can lead to health complications if left untreated. It’s okay to be nervous about your test results, but knowing your results can help you get connected to treatment if anything comes back positive. The team at ACCHC will make sure that you feel comfortable and will meet you without judgement. Whether you are coming for routine screening or are worried about your health, we welcome you to ACCHC.
We look forward to seeing you at the Arlene Cooper Community Health Center!
Supplemental Information: HIV and STIs in Nevada – In Perspective
STIs are a public health issue in the state of Nevada. Here are some quick facts:
- In 2023, Nevada ranked in the top half of states for STIs. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
- 10th out of all U.S. states for syphilis
- 12th out of all U.S. states for gonorrhea
- 19th out of all U.S. states for chlamydia
- In 2022, Nevada had a higher rate of new HIV diagnoses compared to the rest of the country.
- United States = 11.3 new HIV cases per 100,000 people (CDC)
- Nevada = 17.7 new HIV cases per 100,000 people
- Clark County = 22.4 new HIV cases per 100,000 people (America’s HIV Epidemic Analysis Dashboard)
About the Author
Kaiju Manera, BSPH, CHW
As an HIV Advocate at ACCHC, Kaiju is a foundational member of the team. With almost two years in the clinic, Kaiju provides a welcoming testing experience full of patient-centered education around HIV and STIs. With a bachelor's degree in public health and a current UNLV student working on his Master of Public Health, Kaiju has a passion for increasing healthcare access to all populations. Through his work and education, he aims to work alongside priority populations to ensure they can get the care that they need.
When not in the clinic or in class, Kaiju can be found reading infectious disease news or playing a run-through of Hades II. Most importantly, he enjoys spending time with loved ones, especially his dog Piper.
