{"id":13841,"date":"2025-06-27T08:17:42","date_gmt":"2025-06-27T12:17:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/news\/?page_id=13841"},"modified":"2025-06-27T08:17:43","modified_gmt":"2025-06-27T12:17:43","slug":"rhhd-encourages-hiv-testing","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/news\/public-relations-contacts\/archived-news-releases\/2025-regional-news-releases\/rhhd-encourages-hiv-testing\/","title":{"rendered":"RHHD Encourages HIV Testing"},"content":{"rendered":"

June 26, 2025
\nMedia Contact:<\/strong> Bryan Hooten, 804-807-1727, bryan.hooten@vdh.virginia.gov<\/a><\/p>\n

RHHD Encourages HIV Testing
\n<\/strong>National HIV Testing Day is June 27<\/em><\/p>\n

RICHMOND, Va.<\/strong> \u2014 Richmond and Henrico Health Districts (RHHD) encourage community members who may be at risk of contracting human immunodeficiency virus (HIV<\/strong>)<\/a> to seek testing. HIV is a sexually transmitted infection (STI<\/strong><\/a>) and can also spread through injection drug use. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) e<\/strong>veryone ages 13 \u2013 64<\/strong><\/a> should get tested HIV at least once.<\/strong> People with certain risk factors<\/strong><\/a> should get tested more often. National HIV Testing Day<\/strong><\/a> (NHTD) is June 27.<\/p>\n

\u201cNational HIV Testing Day is the perfect moment to begin or renew your commitment to yourself and your health,\u201d said Richmond and Henrico Health Districts STI\/HIV Prevention Supervisor Stephanie Mbengue. \u201cIt’s up to each of us to be the best stewards of our sexual health. Richmond and Henrico Health Districts and our community partners are here for you every step of the way.\u201d<\/p>\n

Community members can receive HIV testing from their physician as part of regular appointments or from local health departments, pharmacies, and community organizations. Virginia residents can search for a testing facility near them at rhhd.gov\/VA-HIV-testing<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

STI\/HIV services at RHHD clinics:<\/strong><\/p>\n

RHHD offers clinic-based STI screening and HIV testing appointments at its Cary St.<\/strong><\/a>, Henrico East<\/strong><\/a>, and Henrico West<\/strong><\/a> clinics. Call 804-205-3500 Monday \u2013 Friday, 8 a.m. \u2013 5 p.m. to set up an appointment. Appointment times vary by location and are scheduled on a first-come, first-serve basis. There are no walk-in appointments available. Fees may apply.<\/p>\n

Other HIV services include RHHD\u2019s pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP<\/strong><\/a>) program. PrEP is a medication that reduces a person’s chances of contracting HIV. Virginia residents who want to know if PrEP is right for them should call the RHHD PrEP team at 804-482-5493 and leave a voicemail. The team will return voicemails within two business days. RHHD offers direct PrEP services at its Henrico East<\/strong><\/a> and Cary St.<\/strong><\/a> clinics.<\/p>\n

Community members may also seek out HIV in-person screening, along with a variety of other services, at RHHD clinics in Mosby, Gilpin, and Southwood Resource Centers<\/strong><\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Services available through RHHD partners:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Virginia residents can request a free at-home HIV testing kit by mail through this form: rhhd.gov\/HIVhometest<\/strong><\/a>. <\/strong>For more information about HIV testing in Virginia, please visit rhhd.gov\/VDH-HIV-info<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

The following RHHD community partners also offer STI and HIV testing services:<\/p>\n