UC San Diego is offering free combined testing for HIV and five sexually transmitted diseases at a newly remodeled clinic at University Ave. and Park Blvd.
The AntiViral Research Center is especially trying to reach out to young gay men under 24. Researchers say this group is the most at risk for getting infected. And while HIV rates are down nationally, infection rates are up among certain groups, like gay Hispanic males.
"Anyone can come here to get tested, but the goal is to test at risk and high-risk individuals, particularly gay and bisexual Hispanic individuals. It is in that population that we're seeing an increasing number of infection both nationally and in San Diego," said Dr. Susan Little from UC San Diego Health.
The National Institutes of Health fund the testing, which is free for patients. The four tests can be done in about thirty minutes and test for six conditions, HIV, syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhea, Hepatitis B and C. The HIV Rapid Test provides results in 60 seconds.
"We’re trying very hard to de-stigmatize HIV status. This is not about whether one is positive or negative, it's about sexual health, we encourage people to get tested," Little said.
The clinic is located at 3830 Park Boulevard. Testing appointments can be booked online.
