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Division of HIV and STD Programs
600 S. Commonwealth Ave., 10th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90005
Phone:(213) 351-8000
Fax: (213) 738-0825
Email: DHSP@ph.lacounty.gov
Office Hrs: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. M-F
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Think You Might Have HIV or an STD?

Here is what you need to know. . .

Being sexually active is healthy and normal. Many sexually active people will get an STD at some point in their lives. Finding out that you have an STD or HIV can leave you feeling scared, angry, and/or confused, but there is help. Help starts by taking quick action to deal with your infection. HIV and STD experts are available to answer questions regarding where to get immediate low, or no-cost treatment, how to avoid re-infection for certain STDs, and how to cope with your particular situation. If you have questions and would like to talk to an expert about how to proceed, what to do next, call one of the hotlines listed below.

  • Think you may have been exposed to HIV in the last couple of days? Don't delay! Click here for help.

  • Find a clinic to receive free screening and treatment.

  • STD Hotline - (800) 758-0880 or go to Don't Think Know.

The following information may also help you make some decisions...

  • If you have the following symptoms, it is very important to go to the doctor as soon as possible.

    • Signs of HIV include flu-like symptoms, fever, body aches, and swollen glands. You may have night sweats, weight loss, diarrhea, swollen lymph nodes, oral thrush (white fungus patches in your mouth), and recurrent vaginal yeast infections. As HIV slowly weakens your immune system, these symptoms will increase over time.

    • Some signs of STDs may be a watery, white-ish, or bloody discharge from the penis, vagina or anus. Other signs may be little bumps with or without pain that show up in those same areas or in your mouth.

  • HIV and STDs can easily be passed from one person to another because people do not always know they have them. Even if a person does not know they have HIV or an STD, you can still get HIV and STDs from vaginal, anal, and oral sex; foreplay; or sharing personal items with blood on them, such as needles and razors.

  • If you are sexually active, have a new partner, or more than one partner, it is important to get tested. If you ignore your sexual health, you might develop other health problems later. These problems can include heart, brain, or liver damage; infertility; cancers in your reproductive organs; and even death. Having an STD also makes it easier for you to become infected with HIV.

  • The best way to know if you have HIV or an STD is to go to a doctor and get tested. If you live in Los Angeles County and are at least 12 years old or older, you can call the HIV or STD Hotline to find out where you can get tested and treated for free. The hotline can also help you with telling your partner(s).

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