HIV Testing & Counseling
For a list of health centers that provide HIV testing and counseling, scroll to the end of the page.
 Did you know that you are not automatically tested for HIV when...
- You get your pelvic exam.
- You get tested for other sexually transmitted infections.
- You get a general blood test.
But you can get tested for HIV free-of-charge at many PPNEO health centers.
- You do not have to be a current client to obtain HIV testing and counseling.
- Testing is available to both men and women.
- Testing is administered on a confidential or anonymous basis.
- Testing is conducted using an oral swab or drawing a small amount of blood.
- You can get your results within 20 minutes while you wait.
Many of our health centers conduct HIV testing on a walk-in basis (no appointment necessary). Contact the health center nearest you at 1-800-230-PLAN or use the Find a Health Center locator for more information.
HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. It is the virus that causes AIDS. The most common test for the HIV virus, and the AIDS condition it causes, is a test that looks for anti-bodies to the HIV virus in humans. This test will not determine if the infection will develop into AIDS.
There are many misconceptions about how HIV is transmitted, so here are some important facts you need to know:
- HIV is not spread through casual contact such as hugging.
- HIV is not a disease of just gay men and drug users.
- HIV lives in blood, semen, and vaginal fluid. Contact with these fluids has the highest risk of spreading HIV.
- HIV can be spread from men to men, women to women, men to women, and women to men.
- A pregnant woman can give the infection to her baby. Pregnant women should be tested for HIV. There are medicines that can protect the baby from being infected.
What are the risks?
When you test for HIV, staff will talk with you about your risk for getting HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases and can also help you make a plan to reduce your risk of contracting HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases.
The HIV virus destroys the body's immune system so it can't fight off infections and other diseases. Currently there are some drugs available to help people with HIV, however there is no cure.
Persons at higher risk include:
- A drug user who shares needles and syringes with others who have HIV.
- A person who has sex with a drug user who shares needles
- A person who has sex with a person who has HIV
- A person who received transfusions of blood or blood products before 1985
Symptoms:
- Thick, whitish coating of the tongue or mouth which is called thrush
- Unexplained, extreme fatigue
- Rapid weight loss
- Long-lasting occurrences of diarrhea
- Fever and night sweats
- Swelling or hardening of glands located in throat, groin or armpit
- Periods of deep, dry coughing not caused by illness or smoking
- Shortness of breath
- Discolored or purplish growth on skin or inside mouth
- Severe numbness or pain in hands and feet
- Loss of motor control and reflex
- Altered state of consciousness, personality change or mental deterioration
To make an appointment or for more information, please contact one of our local health centers directly or call 1-800-230-PLAN to be connected to the Planned Parenthood health center nearest you.
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HIV TESTING AND COUNSELING SERVICES AT PPNEO
AKRON HEALTH CENTER
Free, rapid HIV testing and counseling are available
No appointment needed on Monday, December 1st from 9 am – 5 pm
Testing is available by appointment during all regular hours (closed on Sunday)
BEDFORD HEALTH CENTER
Free, rapid HIV testing and counseling are available
No appointment needed
Mondays from 9 am – 11:30 am
Wednesdays from 2 pm – 5:30 pm
On December 1st, testing hours will be available from 9 am – 2 pm
Testing is also available by appointment on
Mondays from 9 am – 2 pm
Wednesdays from 12 pm – 7 pm
Saturdays from 9 am – 2 pm
CANTON HEALTH CENTER
Free, rapid HIV testing and counseling are available
No appointment needed on Monday, December 1st from 1 pm – 4 pm
Testing at Kent State University Stark Campus on Tuesday, December 2nd from 9 am – 11 am
Testing is available by appointment during all regular hours (closed on Sunday)
EAST CLEVELAND HEALTH CENTER
Free, rapid HIV testing and counseling are available
No appointment needed
Mondays from 1 pm – 4 pm
Tuesdays from 2 pm – 5:30 pm
Wednesdays from 3 pm – 6:30 pm
Thursdays from 2 pm – 4 pm
On Monday, December 1st, testing will be available from 10 am – 5 pm
KENT HEALTH CENTER
Free, rapid HIV testing and counseling are available
By appointment only
Mondays from 2 pm – 4 pm
LORAIN HEALTH CENTER
Free, rapid HIV testing and counseling are available during all regular hours
No appointment needed
Mondays from 9 am – 4:30 pm
Tuesdays from 10 am – 5:30 pm
Thursdays from 9 am – 4:30 pm
MANSFIELD HEALTH CENTER
Free, rapid HIV testing and counseling are available
By appointment only
Mondays from 2 pm – 4 pm
MEDINA HEALTH CENTER
Free, rapid HIV testing and counseling are available
By appointment only during all regular hours
Closed Mondays, Fridays and Sundays
OLD BROOKLYN HEALTH CENTER
Free, rapid HIV testing and counseling are available
No appointment needed on Tuesdays from 4 pm – 6:30 pm
No appointment needed Thursdays from 9 am – 12:30 pm
Testing is available by appointment during all other regular hours (closed on Sunday)
RAVENNA HEALTH CENTER
Free, rapid HIV testing and counseling is available
By appointment only
Wednesdays from 10:30 am – 12pm
ROCKY RIVER HEALTH CENTER
Rapid HIV testing and counseling are available
By appointment during regular hours (closed on Sunday)
SHAKER HEIGHTS HEALTH CENTER
Free, rapid HIV testing and counseling are available
By appointment only
Mondays from 9 am – 4 pm
Wednesdays from 11 am – 6 pm
Fridays from 9 am – 4 pm
SOLON HEALTH CENTER
Rapid HIV testing and counseling are available
By appointment only
Mondays from 10 am – 5:30 pm
Tuesdays from 10 am – 5:30 pm
Fridays from 9 am – 4:30 pm
WOOSTER HEALTH CENTER
Free, rapid HIV testing and counseling are available
By appointment only
Mondays from 8:30 am – 6 pm
Tuesdays from 10 am – 4 pm
Wednesdays from 10:30 am – 6 pm
YOUNGSTOWN HEALTH CENTER
Free, rapid HIV testing and counseling is available
By appointment only
Saturdays from 10 am – 1 pm
HIV TESTING IS NOT CURRENTLY AVAILABLE AT THESE HEALTH CENTERS
CORTLAND HEALTH CENTER
The nearest health centers offering HIV testing are in Youngstown and Ravenna
GALION HEALTH CENTER
The nearest health center offering HIV testing is in Mansfield
HIV Prevention Messages
As indicated by certain local funders, we are required to inform visitors that Planned Parenthood of Northeast Ohio's website contains HIV prevention messages that may not be appropriate for all audiences.
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