HIV / Aids - Disease Prevention & Epidemiology - Cerro Gordo Department of Public Health

Disease Prevention

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.

Health Links

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: www.cdc.gov/hiv/dhap.htm

Resource Directory List of all resources within the state of Iowa

News Articles A collection of articles with the latest updates about HIV

National HIV Testing Resources: http://www.hivtest.org/

Page updated 7/9/07