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(319) 385-0779

STI/HIV/Hepatitis C Testing

STI Testing

If you are sexually active, getting tested for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is one of the most important things you can do to protect your health. STIs often have no symptoms, so you may not know you have one, but these infections can cause serious health problems.

Have an open and honest conversation with your healthcare provider about your sexual history and STI testing. If you are not comfortable talking with your regular health care provider about STIs, see below for options for confidential and free or low-cost testing. 

Testing Options (click to expand)
  1. Henry County Public Health can collect the specimen for testing AFTER you have completed a phone visit with a provider at Family Planning of Southeast Iowa. Call them at 319-768-1225. Clinic fees are based on income, and no one is denied services based on their ability to pay. If results are positive, medication may be picked up at Henry County Public Health also.
  2. Outreach Prevention Services from River Hills Community Health Center also provides free, walk-in STI screenings at Henry County Public Health on the 3rd Friday of each month from 2-4pm.

HIV Testing

CDC recommends everyone aged 13 to 64 should get tested for HIV at least once as part of routine health care.

People with certain risk factors should test more often. For example, if

  • You’re a man who has had sex with another man.
  • You’ve had anal or vaginal sex with someone who has HIV.
  • You’ve had more than one sex partner since your last HIV test.
  • You’ve shared needles, syringes, or other drug injection equipment (for example, cookers).
  • You’ve exchanged sex for drugs or money.
  • You’ve been diagnosed with or treated for another sexually transmitted infection, hepatitis, or tuberculosis (TB).
  • You’ve had sex with someone who has done anything listed above or you don’t know their sexual history.
Testing Options (click to expand)
  1. Henry County Public Health can collect the specimen for testing AFTER you have completed a phone visit with a provider at Family Planning of Southeast Iowa. Call them at 319-768-1225. Clinic fees are based on income, and no one is denied services based on their ability to pay.
  2. Outreach Prevention Services from River Hills Community Health Center also provides free, walk-in rapid HIV screenings at Henry County Public Health on the 3rd Friday of each month from 2-4pm.

Hepatitis C (HCV) Screening

The hepatitis C virus is usually spread when someone comes into contact with blood from an infected person.

CDC recommends you get tested for hepatitis C if you:

  • Are 18 years of age and older
  • Are pregnant (get tested during each pregnancy)
  • Currently inject drugs (get tested regularly)
  • Have ever injected drugs, even if it was just once or many years ago
  • Have HIV
  • Have abnormal liver tests or liver disease
  • Are on hemodialysis
  • Received donated blood or organs before July 1992
  • Received clotting factor concentrates before 1987
  • Have been exposed to blood from a person who has hepatitis C
  • Were born to a mother with hepatitis C

Unfortunately, there is no vaccine currently available for hepatitis C, but it can be cured with treatment.

Learn more about Hepatitis C here.

Testing Options (click to expand)
  1. Henry County Public Health can collect the specimen for testing AFTER you have completed a phone visit with a provider at Family Planning of Southeast Iowa. Call them at 319-768-1225. Clinic fees are based on income, and no one is denied services based on their ability to pay.
  2. Outreach Prevention Services from River Hills Community Health Center also provides free, rapid (20 minutes) Hepatitis C (HCV) screenings at Henry County Public Health on the 3rd Friday of each month from 2-4pm.

Prevention

STIs pass from one person to another through oral, anal, and vaginal sex, as well as genital skin-to-skin contact.

Steps to reduce your STI exposure:

  • Abstaining from vaginal, anal, or oral sex. This is the only way to completely avoid STIs.
  • Getting vaccinated. Vaccines are recommended for some people to prevent hepatitis B and HPV.
  • Reducing your number of sex partners.
  • Regular testing. You and your partner should get tested and share your results.
  • Being in a mutually monogamous relationship with a partner who has been tested and does not have an STI.
  • Using condoms the right way every time you have sex.

Talk with your partner(s) BEFORE having sex so you can both make informed choices about your sexual health. Find conversation tips here.

Henry County Public Health also offers free condoms and emergency contraception.

TALK – Talk openly and honestly to your partner(s) and your healthcare provider about sexual health and sexually transmitted infections, or STIs.

TEST – Get tested. It’s the only way to know for sure if you have an STI.

TREAT – If you test positive for an STI, work with your healthcare provider to get the correct treatment.

Call us at 319-385-0779 for more information.