What Should I Do If I Suspect I have HIV?

It’s vital to seek regular testing, especially if you have any concerns. Our expert physicians and specialists are here for you. We offer comprehensive care and a wide range of disease management services, including screening, prevention, support, and personalized treatment plans to help individuals live healthily and happily for many years to come.

 

And we offer unwavering compassion along with total confidentiality. So, please contact us at Health Services of North Texas as soon as possible to schedule an appointment, as timely detection is vital for your best outcome. We also invite Denton and Collin County residents for an in-person visit at one of our multiple locations in Denton, Plano, and Wylie, TX.

 

Why HIV testing is of utmost importance

 

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is one of the gravest global health concerns. As of 2020, nearly 37 million people worldwide had HIV. This includes more than 1 million in the U.S., 13% of whom do not know it and therefore require prompt testing. However, there are some positive trends: the global rate of new infections has decreased 30% since 2010. And the increased effectiveness and availability of treatment options have allowed those with HIV to live long, lives with little to no risk of passing on the virus.

 

Many individuals may be living with HIV and not yet know it. For those with HIV, regular testing is crucial because it can allow us to halt the lethal development of the virus into AIDS. We value your health, and we realize every person has unique needs and faces specific circumstances. So, our caring, detail-attentive team will always take the utmost care and effort to ensure that you receive personalized treatment. Treatment that takes into account your medical history, current health, progression of the virus, and a variety of relevant lifestyle factors.

 

It’s our mission to help those with HIV regain hope and normalcy. And we offer a full spectrum of services for those with different stages of HIV or those making efforts to prevent it. These include, but are not limited, to the following:

 

• Educational and behavioral health services

• Comprehensive testing

• Treatment options, like pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)

• Counseling

• Medication and therapeutic management

• Prescription assistance

• Transportation, housing, and insurance assistance services for Ryan White eligible patients

If you have any questions, concerns, or would like to explore your options, don’t hesitate to reach out to us today at Health Services of North Texas to schedule an appointment in Denton, Plano, or Wylie, TX.

 

The effectiveness of antiretroviral therapy (ART) and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)

 

Medical advancements have made treatments more effective and accessible than ever. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is now widely available, and more than 27 million people are accessing it as of 2020. If taken daily, it can help many achieve an undetectable viral load and enjoy a long and healthy life with effectively no chance of transmitting the virus through sex.

 

HIV is spread through practices like unprotected sex and sharing needles. And it’s necessary you take every precaution to limit or remove all risk factors. One such strategy involves pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), a daily medication for people who do not have HIV but are at a higher risk. When taken as prescribed, PrEP is a highly effective preventive measure that can reduce the chances of contracting HIV through sex by up to 99%.

 

Don’t delay any longer if you have any concerns or would like to seek treatment

 

Early detection is essential for securing your best outcome, and there’s no reason to hesitate. If you have financial worries, we offer services based on a sliding fee scale and through the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program for patients that qualify. Please reach out to us at Health Services of North Texas. We have offices in Denton and Collin Counties to visit one of our offices in Denton, Plano, or Wylie, TX.

 

FREE Walk-In HIV Screening at Health Services of North Texas

Health Services of North Texas invites you to come in for your FREE, CONFIDENTIAL HIV screening on Friday mornings in Denton or Plano from 8:00 am to 11:00 am. Learn More