‘Know Your Status’

Health district encourages testing

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
January 8, 2015

LAS VEGAS – Know your status? The Southern Nevada Health District and the Gay and Lesbian Center of Southern Nevada offer a monthly Saturday HIV/STD testing clinic. The first clinic for 2015 is 10 a.m. 3 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 10. The monthly clinic is the first Saturday of each month (excluding holidays) at the Gay and Lesbian Center of Southern Nevada, 401 S. Maryland Parkway. For more information, visit the health district website, www.SNHD.info or contact the Gay and Lesbian Center, (702) 733-9800.

Testing is free and no appointments are needed. Results for HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea and Chlamydia tests will take approximately 10 days and will be available by calling the Southern Nevada Health Districts Sexual Health Clinic, (702) 759-0702. All testing is confidential.

The Center conducted a survey recently to identify the needs of the community it serves. The non-traditional clinic hours are an opportunity to provide testing services for more people in the community. The health district encourages everyone to learn his or her HIV status.

Early diagnosis is critical for people who are HIV positive so they can benefit from treatment. It is estimated that nearly 40 percent of people with HIV are not diagnosed until they have developed AIDS, which can occur 10 years after infection. Additional recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) include annual testing for individuals who engage in high-risk sexual behavior or use intravenous drugs. Pregnant women should be tested during the early months of their pregnancy to help eliminate transmission of HIV to their infants.

The Sexual Health Clinic is located at 400 Shadow Lane, Suite 106. Services include confidential testing, counseling, case management and referrals. The health district offers several HIV test options, some with same-day results. In addition, testing is available at several locations throughout the community.

In addition to testing at the Sexual Health Clinic, weekly HIV/ STD screenings are available at the following locations:

The health district encourages everyone in the community to learn their HIV status. Currently, there are more than 6,000 people living with HIV/AIDS in Southern Nevada.

The Southern Nevada Health District serves as the local public health authority for Clark County, Boulder City, Henderson, Las Vegas, Mesquite and North Las Vegas. The agency safeguards the public health of the community’s residents and visitors through innovative programs, regulations, and initiatives focused on protecting and promoting their health and well-being. More information about the Health District, its programs, services, and the regulatory oversight it provides is available at www.SNHD.info. Follow the Health District on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.