People experiencing homelessness (PEH) are at increased risk for HIV and hepatitis C. The vast majority of recent HIV cases among PEH in Orange County have been co-infected with syphilis and hepatitis C. This emphasizes the need for routine HIV, STI and hepatitis C testing among this population.
HCA encourages local healthcare providers and community partners serving people experiencing homelessness to:
- Test individuals who are unhoused for HIV, syphilis and hepatitis C
- Provide condoms and harm reduction supplies for protection from HIV, hepatitis C and STIs
- Learn about treatment options to help individuals who are HIV+ to get and stay virally suppressed, which means having an undetectable HIV viral load and
- Know prevention and harm reduction options for those HIV-negative; these include HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and HIV post-exposure prophylaxis (nPEP), which protect individuals from acquiring HIV
See “Dear Colleague letter” from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) on emergency department testing and treatment for HIV, hepatitis C and syphilis. More info...
