Officials urge testing ahead of National HIV Testing Day

With National HIV Testing Day on June 27, Richmond and Henrico Health Districts officials are encouraging people who may be at risk of contracting human immunodeficiency virus to seek testing. HIV is a sexually transmitted infection and also can spread through injection drug use.

According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, everyone
ages 13 – 64 should get tested HIV at least once. People with certain
risk factors should get tested more often.

“National HIV Testing Day is the perfect moment to begin or renew your commitment to yourself and your health,” said Richmond and Henrico Health Districts STI/HIV Prevention Supervisor Stephanie Mbengue. “It's up to each of us to be the best stewards of our sexual health.”

Community members can receive HIV testing from their physician as part of regular appointments or from local health departments, pharmacies, and community organizations. Virginia residents can search for a testing facility near them at rhhd.gov/VA-HIV-testing.   

RHHD offers clinic-based STI screening and HIV testing appointments at its Cary
Street, Henrico East, and Henrico West clinics. To schedule an appointment, call (804) 205-3500 Monday-Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Appointment times vary by location and are scheduled on a first-come, first-serve basis. There are no walk-in appointments available. Fees may apply.  

Other HIV services include RHHD’s pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)
program. PrEP is a medication that reduces a person's chances of contracting HIV. Virginia residents who want to know if PrEP is right for them should call the RHHD PrEP team at (804) 482-5493 and leave a voicemail.

RHHD offers direct PrEP services at its Henrico East and Cary Street clinics.

Community members also may seek out HIV in-person screening, along with a variety of other services, at RHHD clinics in Mosby, Gilpin, and Southwood
Resource Centers in the city.

Virginia residents can request a free at-home HIV testing kit by mail through this form.

For details about HIV testing in Virginia, visit rhhd.gov/VDH-HIV-info.  

The following RHHD community partners also offer STI and HIV testing services:  

• Nationz Foundation: (804) 716-7597;

• Minority Health Consortium: (804) 225-0820;

• Health Brigade: (804) 358-6343, ext. 2145 

People can visit the VDH HIV Care Services website to learn more about available programs in Virginia.