Clinic Services

Everyone has an HIV status. Getting tested gives you more control of your health and allows you to protect yourself and your partners. It’s recommended that you get tested if you currently or have ever:

• had sex with someone without a condom
• had a sexually transmitted disease (STD)
• shared needles or works to inject drugs
• shared needles for a piercing or tattoo
• if you are pregnant (HIV positive women can pass HIV to their babies)

• Get your results in about 20 minutes
• All testing is completely confidential
• Affordable (suggested donation of $10)
• Walk in or make an appointment
• Confirmatory testing available for those who test preliminarily positive or for HIV-positive individuals who need proof of HIV status for service and/or healthcare access

1. HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a virus that can lead to an AIDS diagnosis (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome).  Not everyone living with HIV has AIDS, but everyone that has AIDS has HIV.
2. There is no cure for HIV or AIDS, but the virus is 100% preventable.  Actions such as consistent and correct condom use, not sharing injection drug paraphernalia, and following medical recommendations if you are an HIV positive woman who is pregnant or planning a pregnancy decreases risk significantly.
3. HIV and AIDS has always and continues to disproportionately impact racial and ethnic minorities.
4. People with HIV can have a long, normal lifespan, though the stigma surrounding HIV often creates a not-so-normal life.
5. In the United States, it is increasingly rare for pregnant women living with HIV to transmit the virus to their children.  However, on a global scale, mother-to-child transmission remains a significant percentage of HIV cases.
6. In Hawaii, the vast majority of HIV and AIDS cases are among men who have sex with men.  Globally, women share a larger number of HIV/AIDS cases through heterosexual sex.
7. While HIV and AIDS may affect different populations in larger numbers or on a larger scale, it can happen to anyone.  Young or old, rich or poor, gay or straight, the virus does not discriminate.
8. HIV remains a virus that is not transmittable through casual contact such as hugging or sharing utensils.  Unprotected sexual intercourse (oral, vaginal, and anal), sharing needles for injection drug use, and mother to child transmission (in utero, during delivery, and breastfeeding) are the main transmission routes for the HIV virus.
9. Not everyone living with HIV is taking medication, but those who do take medications are far healthier when they are able to maintain adherence (taking your medication consistently as prescribed).  Access to health care, housing, support from family and friends, nutritious meals, and other basic needs greatly increases people’s ability to adhere to their medications, stay healthy, and increases their life expectancy.
10. Young people, particularly girls and young women, continue to be at the center of the epidemic. Youth are significantly impacted by the spread of HIV, but they are also at the heart of the movement to stop it. Young people hold the energy to change the future of the pandemic; talking to children and youth in our communities about staying safe and healthy is a great first step to making an impact.

Hepatitis B is caused by the Hepatitis B virus (HBV). It is usually an acute (short-term) disease for those infected as adults, but it usually becomes a chronic (long-term) disease for those infected as children. Hepatitis B is spread through contact with blood and other bodily fluids. The most common way to get Hepatitis B is from mother to baby, especially for those born in counties in Asia and the Pacific Islands. It is important to know your Hepatitis B status because there are many things you can do for yourself, your `ohana, and your liver if you have Hepatitis B.

Hepatitis C is caused by the Hepatitis C virus (HCV). It is usually a chronic
(long-term) infection.

Hepatitis C is spread through direct blood-to-blood contact with someone who has Hepatitis C. The most common way to get Hepatitis C is through sharing injection drug use equipment, getting a blood transfusion prior to 1992, or having other exposure to blood. Treatments are available to manage and even cure Hepatitis C for some people. There is NO vaccine available to prevent infection. It is important to know your Hepatitis C status because there are many things you can do for yourself, your `ohana, and your liver if you have Hepatitis C.

Get tested. Most people with Hepatitis C in Hawai`i don’t even know that they have it. Symptoms can take many years to show, so it is important to get tested, even if you feel fine.  The earlier Hepatitis C is diagnosed, the more you can do to take care of yourself, your `ohana, and your liver.

• Ever injected drugs or other substances, even once
• Transfusions/organ transplants before 1992
• Healthcare or public safety workers after exposure to blood with Hepatitis C virus (HCV)
• Children born to HCV-positive women
• History of tattooing or body piercing
• History of multiple sex partners or sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
• Long-term steady sex partners of HCV-positive persons
• Users of intranasal cocaine or other non-injection drugs such as ice
• Anyone born in the U.S. from 1945 to 1965, regardless of any known risks NEW

MPHS now offers a rapid Hepatitis C antibody test available that only takes 20 minutes.  For more information on the test itself, go to www.testhepc.com.