Asian & Pacific Islander Wellness Center’s Testing Clinic
Eligibility
All are welcome (not limited to Asian or Pacific Islanders) who may have been at risk for HIV (see below).
Please keep in mind the “Window Period” of the test: it may take 3-6 months for antibodies to show up on a HIV antibody test. This test may not reflect something that happened very recently.
Have I Been At Risk for HIV?
HIV is transmitted only from a HIV positive person in five bodily fluids: blood, semen, pre-ejaculate, vaginal fluid, and breast milk. HIV risk behaviors are any behaviors that may transmit any of the five above fluids from a HIV positive person into my blood stream, including: unprotected sex and blood-to-blood contact (sharing needles).
Schedule (by appointments)
Wednesdays 4 pm - 7 pm
Fridays 2 pm - 6 pm
First Saturday of the Month 11 am - 2 pm
How to Make an Appointment
Call (415) 292-3400 or email hivtesting@apiwellness.org. Appointments are on the hour, such as 4pm, 5pm, 6pm, etc. Appointments can be made as close as an hour before.
Time
Most sessions take about 30-60 minutes. Please allot one hour for the appointment.
The session includes going over a consent, sample collection, 20 minutes or more of risk assessment while waiting for the test kit to run, and result disclosure.
Location
730 Polk St (corner of Polk & Ellis) on the Fourth Floor
San Francisco, CA 94109
Area consists of metered street parking. Parking is free after 6pm.
Free
HIV testing services are free. Donations are welcome.
Oral or Blood Sample
Clients have two choices as samples: oral swab or a finger prick that needs about one drop of blood.
Anonymous or Confidential
Clients have two choices: anonymous testing gives no identifying information of the client (no name or signature). Anonymous clients receive their results verbally.
Confidential testing requires the client’s name and signature. At the end, confidential tests may receive a copy of their results. Confirmed positive confidential clients’ name will be forwarded to the state.
Language Capabilities
Please indicate while making the appointment if testing is needed in a particular language. Currently, available languages are Cantonese, Chamorro, English, Ilokano, Mandarin, Japanese, Spanish, Tagalog, and Visayan.
What If I Test Positive?
All of our HIV test counselors are highly trained, certified, and experienced to support our clients.
A&PI Wellness Center also houses a Care department for HIV+ clients with a clinic, case management, prevention case management, support groups, mental health, and many other comprehensive services. All clients that test positive (regardless of demographics) are linked internally to our Care services.
Other Testing Services
For more information about Hepatitis B (HBV) screenings and Hepatitis C (HCV) testing please go to http://apiwellness.org/hepatitis.html. A&PI Wellness Center currently does not have STD testing.
Download the Safer Sex: A Guide for
Us:
For More Information
CDC HIV Factsheets
http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/resources/factsheets/index.htm
SF HIV
http://www.sfhiv.org/ |
