HIV/Sexual Health

What is AIDS?

• AIDS stands for acquired immune deficiency syndrome. AIDS is a disease that destroys the body’s ability to fight off illness.

What Causes AIDS?

• AIDS is caused by a virus called HIV (human immunodeficiency virus). The virus can live in the human body for years and can be spread to others even before any symptoms appear. AIDS is known as the last stage of HIV infection. Your doctor may suspect you have AIDS if your immune system shows signs of serious weakening. Other signs of AIDS also include different unusual infections or cancers.

How is HIV Spread?

• HIV is spread by direct contact with blood, semen, or vaginal fluids from an infected person. Also, women infected with HIV can pass the virus to their baby during pregnancy, birth, or breast feeding.

Who Should Consider Testing?

• People who may have a sexually transmitted infection (STI).
• People who currently use intravenous (IV) drugs or who have a history of IV drug use.
• Men who have had sex with other men.
• People who have had more than one sex partner.
• People who have had sex with people who trade sex for money (male or female).
• People who received blood products or blood transfusions between 1978 and 1985.
• Women with risks listed above, who are pregnant or who are considering pregnancy.
• People who are being tested or treated for tuberculosis (TB).
• People who have been exposed to the blood of someone who may be infected.
• People who have had sex with any of the above.

What is the HIV Antibody Test?

• The test for HIV looks for antibodies against the HIV virus in your blood. Antibodies are proteins your body makes to fight off disease and infection. If the test finds antibodies against HIV, you can be a carrier of the HIV virus and able to spread it. The test will not tell if a person has AIDS.

HIV testing

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• Most health departments in the Upper Peninsula offer free, private and anonymous screening for HIV.  Click this link for a listing of testing sites: UP Health Departments. Some of these health departments offer a finger poke test with results in as little as 20 minutes.

Prevention: PrEP-Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis

• PrEP is a medicine you can take to help prevent you from getting HIV.  There are two forms of PrEP – a pill form you take daily and an injectable form. If you choose the injectable form your doctor gives you a shot of PrEP every two months.
• You can get PrEP by talking to your doctor or health care provider who can then prescribe this for you.
• PrEP is only for people that are HIV negative so you will have to get an HIV test before taking PrEP. You may have to get some other tests to make sure it is safe for you to use PrEP.
• For daily oral PrEP you will need to see your provider every three months for repeat HIV tests, refills and follow up.  If you are using injectable PrEP you will see your provider every two months for an HIV test and for a shot.
• If you need help finding a provider, please call UPHP Customer Service and ask for a Care Coordinator: 906-225-7500 or 1-800-835-2556 TTY: 711.  You can also search the UPHP directory found here:  https://www.uphp.com/providers/provider-search-landing/.
• Some forms of PrEP are covered under your prescription drug benefit at no cost to you.
• For Medicaid members, these drugs are covered by your state Medicaid coverage. To find out which forms of PrEP  are covered, visit: Prime Therapeutics Providers | Drug Lookup.
• For MI Health Link Members, these drugs are covered by UPHP. To find out which forms of PrEP are covered, visit: https://www.uphp.com/pharmacy/medicareformularies/.

Treatment: Continuum of Care Program

• The Continuum of Care Program is a community-based program for people and families living with HIV in the Upper Peninsula. This program offers a broad range of office-based services. The program provides financial help to ensure people can get early medical care. Other program goals include maintaining participants’ best health and connecting them with support services. People in this program are active members of their care team.
• People living with the HIV virus and their family members can take part in this program. You can refer yourself to this program, or your health care provider can refer you with your written permission.  Continuum of Care (COC Program).