Get tested to protect yourself and your partner. It’s so important to stay informed about your Sexual Health, both short-term and long-term.
We all know you can’t judge a book by its cover but did you know it’s also true that you can’t tell if a person has an STI (sexually transmitted infection) or HIV just by looking at them. The scary fact is that most people who are sexually active could have an STD or HIV and not even know it. That means they can also pass it along without knowing too.
- STIs are broken down into three types: bacterial, parasitic, and viral.
- You cannot tell if a person has an STI by looking at them – the only way to know for sure is to get tested.
- Some STIs are curable (bacterial and parasitic – go away after taking medicine prescribed by a doctor) while others are only treatable (viral – they are a lifelong and can be managed with medications prescribed by a doctor). If you are diagnosed with an STI, be sure to talk openly and honestly with your partner so that they may also get the necessary treatment to either cure or manage the infection.
- STIs, including HIV, can be passed along to another person through sexual contact, sharing needles (including those used for tattoos and piercings), and from mother to child during pregnancy/birth, and breastfeeding. (The body fluids that can transmit STIs, including HIV, are blood, semen, vaginal fluids, and breastmilk.)
Getting tested and finding out your status is simple, easy and quick.
So, where should you go for testing? That’s totally up to you. You can ask your doctor to test you, but be sure that you are specific and tell them what STI you want to be tested for because STI testing is not routine. There may also be insurance copays at your doctor’s office – be sure to ask when requesting an appointment.
If you are looking for FREE testing services that are confidential, check out these local resources:
The Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program and The Hepatitis C Program of Hudson Headwaters Health Network
Free, rapid testing is available at flexible times and in many locations including HHHN health centers, program offices at the West Mountain Specialty Care Center in Queensbury, Saratoga County and Warren/Washington County Public Health clinics, college campuses and outpatient substance use agencies. Please call for more information or to schedule an appointment for this simple 20-minute finger stick test and find out your status.
Our programs also provide:
Individual/community education- Education Materials
- Protective Barriers
- Linkage to care
- Care management/Support Services
BOTH HIV and Hep C tests are always available when testing!
For HIV Testing Information, call (518) 415-9220
For Hep C Testing Information, call (518) 760-2498
For Program Services, call (518) 761-0300, Ext 31856
Warren and Washington County STI/HIV Clinic
BY APPOINTMENT ONLY – CALL 518-761-6850 to Schedule an Appointment
All Services Are FREE
STI – TB – HIV Clinic
Location: Public Health Office at Warren County Municipal Center, 1340 State Route 9, Lake George (Back of building – Entrance #6)
Screening/Treatment for Gonorrhea, Chlamydia Syphilis
Ryan White Program of Hudson Headwaters Health Network will provide screening for HIV/Hepatitis C.
