HIV Services - Callen-Lorde

HIV Services

Callen-Lorde provides comprehensive, state-of-the-art HIV/AIDS treatment, prevention, care, and support with a range of services under one roof. They include:

  • Rapid HIV testing — by appointment or during walk-in hours.
  • HIV Orientation at the first appointment new patients receive one on one education and support to answer any questions about medical treatment and needed services like insurance coverage, government benefits and housing.
  • Primary medical care consists of comprehensive, quality medical care with experienced HIV specialist providers.
  • Medication adherence counseling provides support and education about HIV infection, prescribed medications, and addressing any side effects.
  • Sexual Health Counseling helps identify risks for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections and create an individualized risk reduction plan both to promote your health and minimize possible harm regardless of current HIV status.
  • Referrals to Clinical Trials: Research programs that seek to improve treatment options for HIV infection.
  • Mental Health: Individual counseling, psychotherapy and annual psychosocial assessments with knowledgeable and sensitive mental health professionals.
  • Care Coordination offers information, assistance and referrals regarding benefits and entitlements, including insurance, housing, and referrals to other supportive services.

How to Establish HIV Primary Care at Callen-Lorde

Staff at Callen-Lorde will guide you through the process of establishing HIV primary care. To be seen for HIV primary care, you must:

  • Bring a government-issued photo I.D. (driver’s license, passport, NYC ID, etc.). A document issued by another country is acceptable.
  • Be living with HIV
  • Bring your insurance card if you have one. If you are uninsured, we will help you gain coverage.

If you already have proof of your HIV status, please bring it with you. The following documents will count as proof of status:

  • A signed letter from a provider on letterhead stating the patient is living with HIV
  • Lab work that indicates a viral load over 5,000
  • Lab work that indicates a positive/reactive 4th gen confirmatory test

If you don’t have proof of HIV status, that’s ok. We can help you acquire it.

What to Expect When You Establish HIV Primary Care

You will meet with the clinical team to go over your medical history and establish your HIV status if you don’t have documentation of it. You may receive a rapid HIV test (fingerstick) and/or a blood draw. A case manager will meet with you to discuss your insurance coverage, if you have it, or to help you apply to state programs that will cover the cost of your care and medication. We also have insurance navigators who can help you acquire insurance if you qualify for it.

Expect your first visit to take at least 45-60 minutes.  After you establish HIV primary care, we can also assist you with other needs like housing assistance and behavioral health care.

Appointments are available at our Brooklyn and Bronx locations by appointment only.

Undetectable Equals Untransmittable (U=U)

People living with HIV who stay undetectable cannot pass HIV through sex. It’s that simple! Undetectable means that the amount of HIV in your blood is very low. If you achieve and maintain an undetectable viral load you can’t pass HIV through sex — no matter what kind of sex you’re having, or how often you’re having it.

If you do not know your HIV status, get tested! Testing can take as little as 20 minutes. Whether you’re positive or negative, there are options available to keep you healthy. Our sex positive, LGBTQ affirming staff can help answer your questions.

Treatment

HIV treatment is safer and more effective than ever. Antiretroviral medicines (HIV medicines) do not cure HIV infection or remove the virus from the body, but, when taken as prescribed, they can stop the virus from multiplying.

The sooner a person living with HIV starts treatment, the less damage the virus can do to their body. Medicine can reduce the virus in the body to such a low level that it does not show up on tests and cannot be passed through sex. This is known as an undetectable viral load.

If you are living with HIV, be sure to take your medicines as prescribed and see an HIV doctor for regular checkups.

In New York City, HIV testing and treatment services are available regardless of your ability to pay or your immigration status.

If you are diagnosed with HIV for the first time, you can receive same-day or next-day medication at Callen-Lorde, if your provider approves it.

PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis)

  • PrEP is a once-daily medication to prevent transmission of HIV
  • When used consistently, PrEP has been shown to reduce the risk of HIV infection by up to 99%
  • PrEP does not protect against sexually transmitted infections (i.e., Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, Syphilis etc.)

To learn more about the basics of PrEP before deciding if it’s right for you, watch our  PrEP 101 video series or visit our PrEP page.

Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP)

What is PEP?

PEP is a way to stop HIV infection after a possible exposure –  for example, if a condom breaks, if you have been sexually assaulted, or if you had unprotected sex and are unsure of the status of your partner.

You must start PEP within 72 hours after the exposure for it to be effective. You should come in for PEP as soon as possible after an exposure.

PEP medication must be taken for approximately a month (28 days) consecutively after the exposure.

For more information, click here.