Know Your Status!

Contact Us Today: (903) 501-1747

Bilingual Services Available

Take Control of your Health

HIV can be prevented and the only way to know for sure if you have HIV is to get tested.

One in Seven People

According to the CDC

1 in 7

people in the United States who have HIV do not know they have it.

When was the last time you got tested for HIV?

Know your HIV Status!

You can't rely on symptoms. You can look and feel perfectly healthy and still have HIV.

Let Us Know How We Can Help You Today


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Understanding your HIV-status allows you to take control of your health and is important for your relationships. If you test negative, you can get more information on different prevention tools, such as PrEP, and if you test positive you can start treatment to manage HIV and help prevent transmission to others.

Why get tested for HIV?

Testing is the only way to know for sure if you have HIV. Knowing your status will allow you to take control of your health. If you test negative, you can get more information on different prevention tools, such as PrEP, and if you test positive you can start treatment to manage HIV.

How does HIV testing Work?

Testing usually involves taking a small sample of blood. The time it takes to receive your results will depend on the type of test you receive. A rapid HIV test result will be available within 15 minutes.

  • When & where can I get tested for HIV?
    Testing is available weekdays and some evenings, we can put you in contact with a place that is convenient for you that provides free testing with results available in less than 15 minutes.
  • If I test positive for HIV, how can I be treated?
    Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is the use of medications to treat HIV. You should start treatment as soon as possible as ART helps people live healthier, longer lives, and helps reduce the risk of transmitting HIV to a partner.
  • When can HIV be detected after exposure?
    The period between exposure and when a test can tell if you have HIV varies by person and depends on the type of HIV test used. Current tests can detect the HIV virus one to three months after exposure.
  • What does HIV testing cost?
    Special Health Resources offers FREE testing! It’s confidential. Your results can be available in less than 15 minutes.
  • What Happens if I Get a Positive HIV Test?
    If you test positive for HIV, you will be connected with a medical provider. Peers who are living with HIV and support services, such as case management will also be available to help you along the way.
  • How quickly will I be able to set up an appointment?
    You can call to set up a testing appointment at 903-289-9071 or e-mail Tracy Fletcher at tfletcher@shrt.net or call our clinics in Tyler/Longview to schedule an appointment. Walk-ins are welcome as well.

PrEP

HIV prevention pill

What is PrEP?

PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) is a once-daily pill for people who do not have HIV and want added protection against HIV.

If taken correctly, PrEP reduces your chances of contracting HIV through sex by 99%.

HIV PrEp

Who is PrEP For?

PrEP is recommended for people who are HIV negative and have one or more of the following experiences:

  • Are in a relationship with a person living with HIV.
  • Are a man who has sex with men.
  • Have sex with multiple partners.
  • Have sex with partners of unknown HIV status.
  • Do not use condoms regularly.
  • Engage in sex work.
  • Have been diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection within the last six months.
  • Have engaged in sex with an injection drug user in the past year.
  • Have taken emergency post exposure prophylaxis (PEP) to prevent HIV in the past year.
  • Have used stimulants, poppers, cocaine, meth, ecstasy, GHB or shared needles in the past year.

Is PrEP 100% effective?

PrEP is recommended for people who are HIV negative and have one or more of the following experiences:


  • While highly effective at preventing HIV, PrEP does not protect against other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), like gonorrhea and chlamydia, so condoms are important to use even while taking PrEP.
  • PrEP is a powerful tool for sexually active people; however, no prevention strategy is 100% effective. Therefore, individuals who use PrEP should use it along with other effective HIV prevention strategies such as using condoms consistently and correctly, getting HIV and STI testing with your partners, and if you inject drugs, participating in a drug treatment program or using sterile drug injection equipment.
  • Before starting PrEP, you need to get tested to make sure you do not have HIV.

How much does PrEP cost?

This will depend on your financial situation including insurance – for many individuals the cost of PrEP is low or free.

Are there side effects?

According to the CDC: “PrEP can cause side effects like nausea in some people, but these generally subside over time. Learn more.

What other services will I have access to?


  • HIV/Hep-C testing & treatment
  • Dental Services
  • Mental Health Counseling
  • Substance Abuse Counseling
  • HIV Prevention/Risk Reduction Counseling
  • Emergency toiletry supplies
  • Food Bank Referrals
  • Assistance with insurance through the Market place
  • Assistance with SNAP benefits
  • Assistance with applying and appealing Social Security Income and Social Security Disability Income
  • Case management services

Let Us Know How We Can Help You Today


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Contact Us

PrEP: (903) 501-1747 ext. 7975 or 7855

Free Testing: (903) 501-1747 ext. 7846

P.O. Box 2709 Longview, TX 75606

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This webpage is supported by the Texas Department of State Health Service (DSHS & iConnect) as part of an award totaling $434,105 with 0% financed with non-governmental sources. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by DSHS, HHS, or the U.S. Government. For more information, please visit dshs.texas.gov. SHR is a FTCA Deemed Facility. This health center is a Health Center Program grantee under 42U.S.C. 254b, and a deemed Public Health Service employee under 42 U.S.C. 233(g)-(n).

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