HIV Testing and Counseling

Disclaimer: The messages on this page may not be suitable for all audiences. Discretion is advised.

Your Partner in HIV/AIDS Prevention

The McLean County Health Department is your partner in HIV/AIDS prevention, linkage to care, and PrEP services. Through counseling, testing, community education, outreach, and surveillance, the department works to prevent and control the spread of HIV/AIDS in McLean County. Currently, there is no vaccine or cure for HIV or AIDS. An estimated 1.2 million people are currently living with HIV or AIDS in the U.S. In 2019, Illinois ranked 7th highest in the nation by number and rate of new diagnoses of HIV/AIDS cases (adults and adolescents combined.)

What is HIV?

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the virus that can lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), a disease that causes the body to lose its natural protection against infection.

Nearly 1 in 5 people in the United States who are HIV positive do not know they are infected. Statistical information about HIV/AIDS in McLean County is available upon request as released by the Illinois Department of Public Health.

Who is at greatest risk?

• Men who have sex with other men and their partners
• Individuals who share needles to inject drugs and their partners
• Individuals who have had a STI (Sexually Transmitted Infection)
• Individuals who have sex for resources (money, food, shelter, or drugs)
• Individuals who have multiple sex partners
• Partners of individuals living with HIV

How is HIV spread? 

• Unprotected sex
• Blood to blood contact
• Sharing needles
• Breast milk

How can I prevent getting HIV?

• Get tested at least yearly
• Use condoms for any sex
• Limit your number of sex partners
• Get on PrEP

PrEP (Pre-exposure Prophylaxis): What is it and is it right for me?

PrEP is another resource for individuals to use to prevent contracting HIV. In conjunction with other prevention practices, PrEP is a highly effective. PrEP requires taking a medication, consistently, every day. PrEP also requires testing before the medication can be prescribed and periodically while on medication. PrEP financial assistance is available through PrEP4Illinois. A PrEP navigator can provide required testing, labs, and prescribing of PrEP.

Staff would be more than happy to answer any questions you may have about PrEP. You can also speak with your Primary Doctor about prescribing PrEP.

Safe, Private, and Confidential HIV Testing/Counseling Services and Linkage to Care Services

The Health Department offers a few HIV testing options, which a trained professional will discuss with you.

Ask about our other services

• Urine, oral and rectal screening for gonorrhea/chlamydia
• Syphilis testing
• Vaccines
• Treatments of above screening tests

* Our clinic does not test or treat Herpes or warts. We also don't offer exams.

For more information about our HIV/AIDS services, linkage to care, and PrEP services please contact us at (309) 888-5435.