Prevention
Who gets HIV/AIDS?
Anyone can get HIV. That’s why it is so important to practice safe sex, and to get tested. Some people are at higher risk of getting HIV. These people include:
- Injection-drug users
- Sex workers
- People who are incarcerated
- Men who have sex with men
- Victims of sexual assault
If you are wondering if you are at a higher risk for getting HIV, visit www.cdc.gov
You can protect yourself and others. To prevent the spread of HIV:
- Get tested. Adolescents and adults aged 15 to 65 years should get screened for HIV.
- If an adolescent has certain risk factors, screening can begin before age 15.
- Use latex condoms every time you have sex. Condoms also help prevent the spread of other STDs.
- Use plastic wrap or dental dams to help prevent spread of HIV during oral sex.
- Have sober sex. Drugs and alcohol increase the chance that you will have unsafe sex.
- Use clean needles. If you use drugs that you inject, use a new, clean needle every time. Do not share needles with others.
Pregnancy and Prevention
All women who are pregnant or who are planning to get pregnant should get tested for HIV as early as possible. This is because mother-to-child transmission of HIV is possible by a few ways:
- During pregnancy
- During childbirth
- Through breast milk
However, if a woman is treated for HIV early in her pregnancy, the risk of her baby getting HIV is less than 1%. There are important things pregnant women and new moms can do to protect their baby from HIV. These include:
- Pregnant women with HIV receive HIV medicines during pregnancy
- Babies born to women with HIV receive medicine for 4 to 6 weeks after birth.
- Because HIV can be transmitted through breast milk, women with HIV should not breast feed their babies.
To learn more about preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV, visit aidsinfo.gov
Member Benefits
Covered Services
CenCal Health member benefits include:
- HIV testing and counseling
- AIDS Treatment
- Medications to treat HIV/AIDS
- STD testing and treatment
- Birth control
- Pregnancy testing and counseling
- Sexual assault services
All members have the right to confidentiality when getting these services. If you’re a minor under 18, you don’t need the consent of your parent or guardian to receive these services. You may go to your PCP or directly to any qualified Medi-Cal provider either within or outside of the Health Plan provider network for sensitive services. You don’t need a referral from your PCP.
HIV Testing: SB County
NOTE: All services are confidential.
South Santa Barbara County
SB County Public Health Department
- 345 Camino Del Remedio
- 805-681-5488
- Monday to Friday; By appointment only
Planned Parenthood
- 518 Garden St
- 1-888-898-3806
- Monday to Saturday
Westside Neighborhood Clinic
- 628 W. Micheltorena St
- 805-963-1546
- Monday to Friday; By appointment only
Isla Vista Neighborhood Clinic
- 970 Embarcadero Del Mar
- 805-968-1511
- Monday to Friday; By appointment only
Eastside Neighborhood Clinic
- 915 Milpas St
- 805-963-1641
- Monday to Friday; By appointment only
Pacific Pride Foundation
- 126 E Haley St, Suite A-11
- 805-963-3636
- Monday to Friday; Appointment may be required
North Santa Barbara County
Pacific Pride Foundation
- 819 W Church St. Santa Maria
- 805-349-9947
- Monday to Friday; Appointment may be required
Planned Parenthood
- 415 E. Chapel St. Santa Maria
- 1-888-898-3806
- Monday to Wednesday
SB County Public Health Department
- 2115 S. Centerpointe Pkwy. Santa Maria
- 805-346-7230
- Monday to Friday; By appointment only
HIV Testing: SLO County
All services are confidential.
San Luis Obispo County
Access Support Network
- 1320 Nipomo St. San Luis Obispo
- 805-781-3660
- www.asn.org
Planned Parenthood
SLO County Public Health
- 2191 Johnson Ave. San Luis Obispo
- 805-781-8800
T.H.E Center
- 705 Grand Ave. San Luis Obispo
- 1152 E. Grand Ave. Arroyo Grande
- 800-549-8989