The Virgin Islands Department of Health – Communicable Diseases Division (STD/HIV/TB Services) CONTACT US Location 1: John Moorehead Complex (Old Hospital) Communicable Diseases Clinic, Building I St. Thomas, VI 00802 Phone (340) 774-9000 ext 4661/4663 Fax (340) 776-5466 VIADAP clients: call (340) 774-9000 ext 4728 (to certify for Ryan White services) Case reporting only: call (340) 774-9000 ext 4723 Location 2: Charles Harwood Complex, Suite 2171 Communicable Diseases Clinic Christiansted, St. Croix VI 00821 Phone (340) 773-1311 ext 3061/3080 Fax: 340-712-6209 VIADAP clients: call (340) 773-1311 ext 3288 HOW DO I CHECK IN? HIV testing is available on a walk-in basis or by appointment. When you arrive at the clinic, let the receptionist know you are here for HIV testing and they will get you registered and start a private, confidential medical file for you. A routine STD screening involves testing for gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, UTIs and vaginal infections. Genital warts, molluscum contagiosum and herpes can also be diagnosed during a physical examination if symptoms are present. Testing is available on a walk-in basis. Dermatology treatment is available to people diagnosed with genital warts or molluscum. HOW IS MY PRIVACY PROTECTED? Your privacy is very important to us. Any and all information you provide during your visit is kept private and protected by Security & Confidentiality Guidelines and HIPPA regulations. During a confidential visit, copies or your results are available after signing an information disclosure form available at the front desk. More information about your privacy can be obtained during the registration process at the clinic. WHAT QUESTIONS WILL I BE ASKED? You will meet with a clinician who can answer your questions about HIV and related issues. You will be asked to provide general information about yourself, drug use, sexual practices, and other activities that might put you at risk for HIV. This information will help us provide the best counseling around your risk and assess whether this test is a good test for you (i.e. outside of the three month window period for HIV testing). HOW OFTEN SHOULD I TEST? If you are sexually active, it is recommended that you get screened for HIV/STD on an annual basis. HIV is spread through unprotected anal, vaginal and oral sex, so depending on your risk (how many partners, condom use, etc.), a person may need to test more frequently than once per year. If the sexual risk you are worried about was less than 3 months ago, it may be too soon to test. It takes 3 months to get a highly accurate test (97% accuracy at 3 months). If you have sex or share needles with someone known to be HIV-positive, you are welcome to return at 6 months to receive an additional test (99.7% accuracy at 6 months). You cannot tell by looking at someone if they have HIV. The only way to know if you have HIV is to get a test. If you have questions regarding when you should get tested, contact the clinic. WHAT IS THE COST FOR SERVICE? HIV tests are currently FREE. Services are provided regardless of a person's ability to pay, and charges are based on a sliding-fee scale. We accept most forms of health insurance, so please bring your insurance card. Donations are also welcome. WHAT IF MY HIV TEST IS REACTIVE (POSITIVE)? If the test result is positive, you will be counseled by your clinician about what the test result means. A confirmatory blood draw will be taken and a recommendation to do full STD testing will be made. Staff in the HIV Prevention Unit and Case Management Planners are available to provide emotional support and answer questions about seeking medical care, follow-up, insurance, management of your HIV infection, telling people in your life, sexual safety and also what community support services are available. Ryan White Early Intervention Services are HIV medical care services available for those meeting income requirements and lacking insurance. This service is funded by the Ryan White CARE Act. WHAT IF MY HIV TEST IS NON-REACTIVE (NEGATIVE)? The test looks for antibodies to HIV. If a person was infected with HIV the body can take three to six months to make the antibodies. This period of time a person has to wait to get an accurate HIV test is also known as the "window period." At three months, an HIV test has an accuracy of 97% and is the recommended guideline by the CDC for getting tested after a risk for HIV. The full 99.7% accuracy is achieved at six months. If your last risk for HIV, such as unsafe sex or needle sharing, was less than three months ago, it is uncertain whether you have HIV. Another test would be recommended at three months to close your window period. If your last risk for HIV was more than three months ago, you are not HIV infected. If there is a known risk for HIV and you test negative at three months, it is recommended to get a follow up test at six months. TUBERCULOSIS (TB) TB is an infectious disease that is caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. TB primarily affects the lungs, but it can also affect organs in the central nervous system, lymphatic system, and circulatory system among others. The disease was called "consumption" in the past because of the way it would consume from within anyone who became infected. TB is a major cause of illness and death worldwide. Each year the disease kills almost 2 million people. The disease is also prevalent among people with HIV/AIDS. The Virgin Islands average 3 active TB cases each year with about 115 latent cases being treated. TB Services Provided • Diagnosis and treatment of TB. • Ensure that all cases and suspected cases of TB are identified and that appropriate therapy is provided. • Preventive therapy for patients at high risk of developing TB disease including contacts of active cases, persons who are HIV positive, and those with evidence of untreated TB. • Conduct direct TB services including, sputum smear and culture for mycobacteria, tuberculin skin testing, treatment with anti-tuberculosis therapy, directly observed therapy (DOT) and referrals for chest X-rays.