HIV, Hepatitis C, and STI Care in Tennessee
LifeLine Health provides information and services related to HIV prevention and testing, hepatitis C care, and sexual health in Tennessee. Understanding your options can help you determine what testing, treatment, or prevention services may be appropriate for you.
Start Here
- Possible HIV exposure within the last 72 hours? Seek medical care as soon as possible and ask about PEP. PEP is time-sensitive and must be started within 72 hours of a potential exposure.
- Not sure which STI tests you need? A healthcare provider can recommend appropriate testing based on your sexual history, potential exposures, symptoms, and other individual circumstances.
- Interested in ongoing HIV prevention? PrEP is highly effective at reducing the risk of acquiring HIV when used as prescribed.
- Diagnosed with hepatitis C? Modern hepatitis C treatments cure most people, with many treatment regimens lasting approximately 8 to 12 weeks.
HIV Testing and Treatment
HIV Testing
HIV testing is an important part of routine healthcare. Additional or more frequent testing may be appropriate for people with ongoing or recent potential exposures.
A healthcare provider can help determine which type of HIV test is appropriate and whether repeat testing may be needed based on the timing of a potential exposure.
HIV Treatment and Viral Suppression
HIV is treatable. With effective treatment and appropriate follow-up, people living with HIV can achieve and maintain viral suppression and live long, healthy lives.
U=U stands for Undetectable Equals Untransmittable. A person living with HIV who takes treatment as prescribed and achieves and maintains an undetectable viral load does not sexually transmit HIV.
PrEP and PEP: HIV Prevention Options
PrEP: Prevention Before Exposure
PrEP, or pre-exposure prophylaxis, is an HIV prevention option for people who do not have HIV and may benefit from additional protection. When used as prescribed, PrEP is highly effective at reducing the risk of acquiring HIV.
A healthcare provider can help determine whether PrEP is appropriate for you and explain recommended testing and follow-up.
PEP: Prevention After a Potential Exposure
PEP, or post-exposure prophylaxis, is an emergency HIV prevention option used after a potential exposure. PEP must be started within 72 hours of a potential HIV exposure and should be started as soon as possible.
When prescribed, PEP is generally taken for 28 days. A healthcare provider will determine whether PEP is appropriate based on the type of exposure, when it occurred, and other relevant circumstances.
If you believe you may have been exposed to HIV within the last 72 hours, seek medical care as soon as possible. If you cannot quickly reach your usual healthcare provider, consider contacting an urgent care center, sexual health clinic, or emergency department and ask whether they can provide or help you access PEP.
Hepatitis C Testing and Treatment
Hepatitis C is highly treatable. Modern direct-acting antiviral medications cure hepatitis C in most people, with many treatment regimens lasting approximately 8 to 12 weeks.
Hepatitis C testing commonly begins with an antibody test. If the antibody test is reactive, an HCV RNA test can determine whether a current infection is present.
If testing confirms an active hepatitis C infection, a healthcare provider can evaluate your medical history, laboratory results, liver health, current medications, and other relevant clinical information to determine an appropriate treatment plan.
After treatment, follow-up HCV RNA testing is used to determine whether the infection has been successfully cleared. A sustained virologic response, or SVR, occurs when hepatitis C virus remains undetectable in the blood 12 weeks or more after treatment and is considered a cure of the infection.
STI Testing and Sexual Health
Many sexually transmitted infections can occur without noticeable symptoms. Appropriate testing depends on factors such as sexual history, potential exposures, symptoms, previous infections, pregnancy, and other individual circumstances.
Depending on your circumstances, a healthcare provider may recommend testing for infections such as:
- HIV
- Syphilis
- Chlamydia
- Gonorrhea
- Hepatitis B or hepatitis C
- Other infections based on symptoms or potential exposures
The appropriate type of testing can also depend on the site of potential exposure. In some circumstances, this may include throat or rectal testing in addition to urine, blood, or genital testing.
A healthcare provider can recommend an appropriate testing plan based on your individual circumstances.
Questions to Ask Your Healthcare Provider
- Based on my potential exposure, which tests are appropriate now?
- Will I need repeat testing based on when the exposure occurred?
- Should I have testing from specific sites based on my sexual history?
- Is PrEP an appropriate HIV prevention option for me?
- Was my potential HIV exposure within the window for PEP?
- If I have hepatitis C, what testing and treatment may be appropriate?
- What follow-up testing will be needed after treatment?
Getting Care in Tennessee
LifeLine Health helps Tennessee patients understand available HIV prevention and testing, hepatitis C care, and sexual health services. The appropriate testing, treatment, or prevention approach depends on your individual circumstances.
If you have questions about HIV testing, PrEP, hepatitis C testing or treatment, or STI services, contact LifeLine Health to learn about available services and appropriate next steps.
Medical disclaimer: This information is provided for educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you believe you may have been exposed to HIV within the last 72 hours, seek medical care promptly. PEP is time-sensitive.