City of Houston Health Department: National Black HIV Awareness Day

Houston Health Department recommends HIV testing, PrEP awareness during National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

HOUSTON — The Houston Health Department (HHD) encourages people to use National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day on Feb. 7 as an opportunity to get an HIV test and learn how to avoid acquiring the virus, including the usage of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP).

People needing an HIV test can visit their family doctor or one of HHD’s health centers across Houston.

PrEP is a once-a-day pill that reduces the risk of getting HIV from sex by more than 92 percent if used as prescribed and with condoms.

“One of our major goals is to ensure that people are aware of all methods now used to prevent HIV,” said William Campbell, HIV program manager at HHD. “This includes the use of PrEP among people who don’t have HIV but are at very high risk of getting it.”