|
HIV
Education and Testing Clinic
| Content
Alert: Some pages within our web site contain HIV prevention
messages that may not be appropriate for all audiences. Since
HIV infection is spread primarily through sexual practices
or by sharing needles, prevention messages and programs may
address these topics. If you are not seeking such information
or feel you may be offended, please exit this page. |
What
is HIV?
HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is the virus that causes AIDS.
HIV
weakens several body systems and destroys the body's immune system,
making it easier for life threatening cancers or opportunistic
infections to invade the body.
What
is AIDS?
AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Virus) is the late stage of an
infection caused by HIV. AIDS is a complex disease characterized
by severe damage to the body's natural immune system. A person
with AIDS becomes susceptible to unusual opportunistic diseases
and cancers that are not ordinarily a threat to people with normal
immune systems. A person who is infected with HIV is said to have
AIDS when the T-Cell or CD4 count falls below 200 or when diagnosed
with one of more than 2 dozen specific serious illnesses.
FREE
Testing
Free, confidential testing is available at the Cerro
Gordo County Department of Public Health, 22 N. Georgia
Ave. Suite 300. We're located on the 3rd floor of Mohawk Square,
downtown Mason City. Call for confidential testing (all ages)
641-421-9321.
HIV fact sheet
Talking About Sex ... |
 |
Talking about sex is never easy, for parents or teenagers. Our Disease Prevention Specialist, Betty Krones, RN, created this presentation to use in schools when asked to speak about teen pregnancy and STD prevention. Some of the photos in this slide show are graphic, but they are true, honest pictures of what can happen when you get a sexually transmitted disease.
For mature viewers only:
STDs, HIV, birth control: What you need to know. 
|
|
