Here at the CARE Program at St. Mary Medical Center in Long Beach we offer free Ora-Quick testing for HIV. The test uses an oral swab--no needles, and if you test confidentially, you'll get your results in twenty minutes. Also, when you test confidentially, you can get a copy of your result if you need to show the courts or your partner.
We're located at 411 East 10th Street in suite 107. We're in the two-story building next to the parking entrance to St. Mary Medical Center campus. There's plenty of free parking in the neighborhood if you don't want to pay. We offer testing Monday through Friday from 8:30 to 4:30, and we're closed for lunch. If you call first, we can probably see you without waiting. You can call our HIV testing line at 562-624-4900.
The campaign theme for World AIDS Day this year was "Getting to Zero" which comes out of recent studys that have reduced transmission by promoting testing, and making HIV medications available to those who test positive.
Locally, the biggest driver of the AIDS pandemic are those people who think they are negative, because they had a negative test in the past. But because they tested in the "window peroiod" (now considered to be three months after exposure, before HIV antibodies are produced) or because they were exposed after their previous negative test, they may be exposing others to HIV. Once someone goes on an effective combination of antiviral medication and remains undetectable for more than six months, the chances of them passing on the virus is greatly diminished. So tesing on a regular basis--and seeking medical care if you test positive--is probably the best thing you can do to get Long Beach to zero.
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