National HIV Testing Day is observed annually on June 27 to increase awareness about the importance of HIV testing. Newly diagnosed HIV cases in DC have trended downward in recent years, but DC government reports show that HIV still disproportionately impacts the District’s Black community. While 41% of DC residents are Black, as of 2022, 71% of people living with HIV in DC were Black, revealing that this is a significant health equity issue.
This National HIV Testing Day, PPMW is proud to offer free HIV testing at all three of our health centers.
To help shed light on the importance of HIV testing, we sat down with Amanda Pittelli, assistant vice president of clinical services at Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan Washington, DC (PPMW). She addresses common misconceptions surrounding HIV testing and treatment options and explains how to access care at PPMW.
Why is HIV testing important for people of all ages, gender identities, and sexual orientations?
Pittelli: Many people wonder why they should get tested for HIV. Thankfully, you can live a long and healthy life with HIV today, thanks to advancements in antiretroviral medications, but you need to know your status to be able to make a plan.
The communities we serve in the DC Metro area experience some of the highest rates of HIV in the country and, just by living in a high-prevalence area, your risks of contracting HIV are greater, even for people who don’t think they have been exposed. It’s important to know that HIV disproportionately affects people of color, transgender and gender diverse individuals, and the LGBTQIA+ community. At the same time, anyone can be exposed to HIV, so everyone should get tested.
For people who want to get tested, but don’t know what that involves, could you explain what it’s like?
Pittelli: Absolutely. Some of our patients haven’t had many interactions with the medical community and our teams are aware of that. We do our best to guide you through every step of the process.
First, we will either make sure you are on our appointment list or we will make you an appointment for that same day. Next, we will have you meet with one of our front desk specialists who can guide you through check-in, which might involve finding out if you have health insurance, discussing pricing, and figuring out what testing option is right for you.
At PPMW, you have the choice between a lab test and a rapid test. A lab test involves sending bloodwork out to a lab, which will provide results within 24 hours. The rapid test involves a simple finger prick and you will receive your results in about 20 minutes.
Before the test, you will talk to one of our assistants about your medical history. In this conversation, they will ask you to discuss your sexual history so that they can help you identify any possible risk factors. At this point, they will recommend the best testing option for you.
Many patients who get an HIV test also go ahead and get tested for other STIs, like hepatitis C, syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia. Those tests might involve a blood test, an oral throat swab, rectal swab, or urine sample. We can talk you through how to collect many of those samples yourself. The only thing our team needs to collect is the blood test.
Could you tell me about HIV treatment and prevention options?
Pittelli: Many people come to us for testing when they feel like they might have been exposed. As important as that is, we also offer ways to limit your risk and protect against infection.
Getting tested before you have a new partner or before you have another risk factor is crucial, and when you come in, it gives us the opportunity to discuss what other options we can offer to reduce your risk. We understand that for some patients, risk factors are a part of life, so we want to find the best possible prevention plan for each person.
PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV) is a daily or monthly medication option that will reduce your risk of contracting HIV. In the same way that birth control can come as a daily pill used to prevent pregnancy, PrEP can come as a daily pill to help to prevent HIV, and it’s over 94% effective. For some, taking a daily medication like PrEP can feel like a big undertaking. So, there is a bi-monthly injectable option, as well. If you do not have an ongoing daily risk factor, we also offer event-driven PrEP. This option gives you more freedom to take it as needed, which is something that you can discuss with our team.
Another option we offer at PPMW is something called post-exposure prophylaxis, or PEP, which is for those who have had a possible exposure in the last 72 hours and are concerned that they have an increased risk of contracting HIV. The medication is two pills taken for 28 days. It reduces the chance that someone will contract HIV.
Are there costs associated with HIV testing at PPMW? Does insurance typically cover it?
Pittelli: HIV testing is widely covered by insurance providers. Many people don’t know exactly what their insurance covers, so our team will verify that for you before your visit so you will know exactly what to expect for out-of-pocket costs. If HIV testing is not covered by your insurance or if you do not have insurance, we have options for reduced-cost HIV testing in our DC health center, as well as additional funding options in our Maryland centers.
We also know that about 20% of new HIV cases are happening in folks ages 17-24, and we understand that some teens and young people may not have access to their insurance or may not want their parents to know what services they are receiving. Because of that, we offer teen pricing, where patients can contribute what they can and we can cover the rest of your testing.
What do you want to make sure people understand better about HIV and HIV prevention?
Pittelli: Many people may not be fully aware of their risk factors, which prevents them from seeking testing or treatment. Even if you are in a monogamous relationship, you or your partner’s past exposure can still be a potential risk factor and require testing.
Our medical team goes through a screening questionnaire with all of our patients to pinpoint potential risk factors in your life. This allows us to suggest safety measures that you can take to limit your risk, which might include PrEP. With our team’s input, you can make an informed decision about the options that are right for you.
What can people do to help spread the word about HIV testing and destigmatize the conversation around HIV?
Pittelli: There are so many resources about HIV out there now on social media, like TikTok. While there is some misinformation, it’s nice to see that people are getting more comfortable talking about HIV and are fighting the stigma.
One way you can help destigmatize HIV testing and treatment is by simply sharing your story with your friends and your community. If you come to PPMW and have a great experience with our team, let people know. Let people know that we're here and that we are accessible.
By educating yourself and your community on the importance of HIV testing, you can help save lives and make sure people can have control over their own futures.
Free testing on June 27
PPMW is offering free HIV testing on June 27th at all three of our health centers for National HIV Testing Day. Patients can make appointments online for our DC, Suitland (Prince George's County), and Gaithersburg (Montgomery County) health centers, or by phone.
If you have already made an appointment with PPMW in the past, you can also make an appointment through your MyChart account. If booking your free HIV screening online, please select “STI/STD Screening & Treatment” when booking.
Tags: HIV testing