The Center offers a comprehensive range of services related to HIV and AIDS—from testing, treatment, prevention, education, and beyond—at the Jeffrey Goodman Special Care Clinic.
Since the 1980s, the Center has been on the frontlines of both caring and advocating for people living with HIV and AIDS. Our team of medical experts are sought after all across the country for their expertise on treating HIV with compassion and dignity—and without needless stigma. If you are accessing the Center's services for testing or treatment, please know that you are in excellent hands, and our providers will offer you the safe space and guidance you need to live a healthy, complete life.
The Center offers comprehensive and holistic care for individuals living with HIV. Beyond treatment plans and access to our pharmacy for those living with HIV, some of our services available include:
HIV Rapid
Rapid testsonly look for the HIV antibody, which is your immune response to the virus. Antibody tests can usually detect HIV three weeks to three months after exposure. Samples are collected by a finger prick or venipuncture.
HIV NAT (Nucleic Acid Test)
NATs look for the actual virus in the blood. This test should be considered for people who have had a recent exposure or a possible exposure with early symptoms of HIV and have tested negative with an antibody or antigen/antibody test. A NAT can usually detect HIV 10 to 33 days after exposure. Samples are collected by venipuncture.
Prevention
There are many ways to prevent the transmission of HIV during sexual exposure, from condoms to PrEP. You can learn more about how to access our pharmacy for prescriptions or acquire free condoms here.
Please call 323-993-7500, option 2 to schedule an appointment. Walk-in testing is not guaranteed and will be based on availability. Scheduling an appointment is highly recommended. Condoms are available at all listed locations below.
Contact Us
McDonald Wright
HIV Treatment, Pharmacy, and Rapid & HIV NAT Testing
At some point in your health journey at the Center, your provider or our Call Center may reference patient forms. We’ve made a list—organized by category—and subsequent contact information, just in case you need more help.
HIV (“human immunodeficiency virus”) is the virus that causes AIDS (“acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). If left untreated, HIV may lead to a diagnosis of AIDS, which generally means a higher risk for more serious medical conditions. It’s important to note that you can’t get AIDS without first being infected with HIV—and in many instances, those who are infected with HIV end up never developing AIDS. However, once someone tests positive for HIV, the virus (like many other kinds of viruses) stays in the body for life.
What does HIV do to the body?
HIV weakens the immune system, causing vulnerability to bacteria, viruses, and a host of other disease-causing agents, which leaves the body less effective at fighting off infections.
How is HIV transmitted?
HIV is transmitted through bodily fluids, which can include: blood, semen, pre-seminal fluid (more commonly known as precum), rectal fluid, and breast milk. HIV is typically transmitted through unprotected sexual intercourse, or through IV drug use.
What should I do if I think I've been exposed to HIV?
The Center’s medical team can help you navigate a variety of options in the event of a potential exposure, including treatment and a prescription for PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis). PEP is the practice of starting a month-long course of anti-HIV medications within 72 hours of possible exposure to the virus to prevent permanent infection. The medication keeps HIV from making copies of itself and spreading through your body.
To be effective, PEP needs to be started as soon as possible, preferably within 36 hours and no later than 72 hours after exposure to HIV. PEP consists of two to three antiretroviral medications that are prescribed by a medical provider. The provider will determine what treatment is right for you based on how you were exposed to HIV.
PEP is safe but may cause side effects like nausea in some people. These side effects can be treated and are not life threatening. PEP is not 100% effective; it does not guarantee that someone exposed to HIV will not become infected with HIV. If you’re eligible, the Center’s doctors can provide PEP to you at a low cost via our pharmacy.
How often should I be tested for HIV?
Our experts say every three months to be safe! Your personal treatment plan may vary, so talk to your provider—and be honest about your sexual and substance practices! We’re here to help, not judge. The Center provides testing at the locations listed below this FAQ.
What's the best way to prevent HIV?
Well, the best way is to limit your potential exposure to the virus—which means wearing condoms or limiting your number of sexual partners. If those don’t sound like practical alternatives for you, your provider may recommend PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis). Pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, is a way to prevent HIV infection by taking the pill Truvada every day. When combined with condoms and other prevention methods, PrEP has been shown to reduce the risk of HIV infection in people who are at high risk by up to 92%. The CDC recommends taking Truvada every day. If you don’t, there may not be enough medicine in your bloodstream to block the virus. People taking PrEP should also see their health care provider every 3 months for regular monitoring of their HIV status and potential side effects of the medicine. You should talk to your provider about your eligibility and any other questions you may have about the medication. If you do not have a provider, or if your medical provider does not feel comfortable helping you make this decision and prescribing PrEP, you’re welcome to get your medical care from the Los Angeles LGBT Center.
I was diagnosed with HIV. Now what?
We said it before, and we’ll say it again: With the right treatment plan and compliance with care, many people with HIV go on to live long, happy, fulfilled lives! Our movement has worked tirelessly over the decades to make this a possibility. If you’re struggling with your diagnosis, the Center offers support groups and mental health resources to help you. Our medical team can also provide you with a personal treatment plan and guide you through navigating insurance, prescriptions, and so forth. Just call us to get started.
What does U=U mean?
The word “undetectable” is used to describe the lowest limit of the lab tests used to measure the HIV viral load. If you’re positive and your viral load remains below 200 copies/mL, your risk of sexually transmitting HIV is negligible. U=U, therefore, means “undetectable equals untransmittable”—a person who has an undetectable viral load has a “negligible” risk of transmitting HIV to a partner who’s HIV-negative. This phrase has become more widespread in recent years, after research and clinical trials were conducted to establish its accuracy.
