West Central, Fla. – National HIV Testing Day commemorates on June 27, an annual observance highlighting the importance of HIV testing. This year’s theme is “Take the Test and Take the Next Step,” which emphasizes that knowing your HIV status helps you choose options to stay healthy. Your West Central Florida County Health Departments serving Citrus, Hardee, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, and Sarasota encourages everyone to take the opportunity to get tested and learn about available HIV treatment and prevention options.

Studies have shown that providing antiretroviral therapy (ART) as early as possible after diagnosis improves a patient’s health, reduces transmission, and can eventually lead to undetectable HIV viral loads. People can reduce their risk for HIV by using appropriate prevention strategies, such as taking pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), using protection, and getting tested regularly.

HIV prevention and treatment starts with knowing your status, which means getting tested. West Central Health Departments offer routine HIV testing by appointment or walk-in as well as PrEP services by appointment.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call your local health department at:

In recognition of National HIV Testing Day, health departments will host free and confidential HIV testing (s) on June 27 (unless otherwise noted) at:

Citrus 

June 28 

No cost, no appointment, rapid HIV Testing 

9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

3700 W Sovereign Path, Lecanto, FL, 34461

Hernando

Walk-in between 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. or make an appointment at 352-540-6800. 7551 Forest Oaks Blvd. Spring Hill FL, 34606

300 South Main Street, Brooksville FL, 34601

Hillsborough

June 30

Walk-in between 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. offering HIV, Syphilis, Gonorrhea, Chlamydia and Hepatitis testing

29^th Street and Lake Ave, Tampa, 33610

Manatee 

HIV/STD testing is available at DOH-Manatee's clinic:

6th Ave E, Bradenton FL, 34208

Pasco

10841 Little Road, New Port Richey, FL. 34654, For more information call: 727-619-0260 13941

15th St., Dade City, FL. 33525, For more information call: 727-619-0170

Pinellas

The Pinellas Planning Partnership (PPP) is providing no-cost HIV testing at Walgreens, from 9:00 

a.m. -  2:00 p.m., 3350 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, FL 33712

Community partners will also provide information about HIV, Mpox, hepatitis, sexually- transmitted diseases and naloxone.

No-cost HIV testing and PrEP information will also be provided at the health department’s St. Petersburg center’s lobby, 205 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St. N.

Polk

DOH-Polk is offering free rapid testing from 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. at the Walgreens locations below:

311 E Memorial Blvd, Lakeland, FL

805 Havendale BLVD NW, Winter Haven, FL 45549 Highway 27, Davenport, FL

35800 Highway 27, Haines City, FL 3619 US Highway 27 N, Sebring, FL

Sarasota

Walk-in testing from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. 2200 Ringling Blvd Sarasota, FL 34237

6950 Outreach Way, North Port, FL 34287

Protect yourself. Get tested. Know your status. Learn what is next.

We have the power to both prevent and treat HIV. Visit KnowYourHIVStatus.com to learn about testing options in your area or to order a free at-home HIV testing kit mailed directly to the address of your choice. For more information, call 1-800-FLA-AIDS or 1-(800) 352-2437; en español, 1-800-545-SIDA; in Creole, 1-800-AIDS-101.

About the Florida Department of Health

The Department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @HealthyFla. For more information about the Florida Department of Health please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov.