Prevention

Our aim is to help curb the spread of HIV/AIDS by providing testing, education and support.

We use the OraQuick HIV test which involves no needles, no blood. A simple swab inside your mouth is all that is needed and the results are available in about 20 minutes. We provide both initial and follow-up counseling for everyone we test. If the OraQuick test results show a preliminary positive, we will do confirmatory testing.

There is so much confusion and wrong information around HIV illnesses that we offer a free two hour Life Skills Presentation that gives no-nonsense, straight-talk information about HIV where all your questions will be answered.

Our Community Outreach project brings HIV/AIDS information to the public and to organizations wanting to have the most current information available.

While Hepatitis C is not an HIV illness, it is important to be tested for it. Our 20 minutes test is done by a finger stick. Follow up counseling and referrals are given to those testing positive. Assistance is given for obtaining insurance and referrals for further testing and for treatment.

HIV testing and counseling services have changed over the years to meet the changing challenges of the epidemic, as well as create more effective interventions that are more "client-centered".

The focus has changed from quantity of people tested, to the quality of the counseling, testing and education each client receives.

The Callie Clinic remains a leader in adapting to the most proven and effective prevention interventions.

Myths about HIV

I can become HIV-positive by being

around people who are HIV-positive.

The evidence shows that HIV is not spread through touch, tears, sweat, or saliva. You can get it from infected blood, semen, vaginal fluid, or breast milk.

I don’t worry about becoming HIV positive. New drugs will keep me well.

No drug provides a cure. Drugs are improving and extending the lives of HIV-positive people. However, many drugs are expensive and produce serious side effects.

Also, drug-resistant strains of HIV can make treatment a challenge.

I’m HIV-positive – my life is over.

In the early years of the disease epidemic, the HIV/AIDS death rate was high. Not so, today. The available drugs allow HIV-positive people, and even those with AIDS to live much longer, normal and productive lives.

I’m straight and don’t use IV drugs.

I will never become HIV-positive.

Not necessarily.

About 16% of men and 78% of women become HIV-positive through heterosexual contact.

I could tell if my partner is HIV positive.

Don’t fool yourself! You can be HIV positive and not have any symptoms for years. The only way for you or your partner to know if you’re HIV-positive is to get tested.

Do it today

One in seven people with HIV are unaware of their infection. That’s why CDC recommends that everyone between the ages of 13 and 64 get tested at least once and that high-risk groups get tested more often.