The Health Department is closed Monday, Sept. 7, for the Labor Day holiday.

    • HIV/AIDS Information for Providers

    Overview

    Pierce County has the second highest prevalence of people living with HIV/AIDS in Washington. Of these, 85% are engaged in care and 77% have achieved viral suppression.

    Rates of new HIV diagnosis in Pierce County are higher among:

    • Men who have sex with men.
    • Transwomen who have sex with men.
    • People who inject drugs.
    • People who exchange sex for drugs or money.
    • People disproportionately exposed to racism, particularly those who are foreign-born Black, Black/African American or Hispanic/Latino.

    HIV/AIDS continue to pose significant social, economic and health barriers for people. The fight to end HIV/AIDS involves healthcare providers promptly and effectively screening, reporting and treating new infections and helping out-of-care clients return to services.

    Screen for HIV/AIDS

    In the United States, 15% of people living with HIV don’t know they have it. Nearly 40% of new HIV infections are transmitted by people who don’t know they have the virus.

    • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone 13–64 years old get tested for HIV at least once as part of routine health care.
    • People at increased risk should get tested more frequently, usually every 3–6 months.

    Report new cases within 3 business days

    Fax a completed confidential HIV/AIDS case report form and an optional positive syphilis or HIV test supplemental patient info form to (253) 649-1389.

    We’re here to help!

    Our STI/HIV Program supports healthcare providers and community organizations. Check out how we can help and how to reach us.

    Refer to treatment

    • Community Health Care’s Ryan White HIV/AIDS program offers multidisciplinary primary and specialty HIV care to patients in their Hilltop Regional Health Center in downtown Tacoma.
    • HIV.gov connects people with information and services. 
    • Infectious Disease Associates, Virginia Mason Franciscan, St. Joseph, 1624 S. I St., Tacoma.
    • Kaiser Tacoma Medical Center Infectious Disease, 209 MLK Jr. Way, Tacoma.
    • Madigan Army Medical Center, Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
    • MultiCare Tacoma Family Medicine, 521 MLK Jr. Way, Tacoma.
    • SeaMar Tacoma Medical Clinic, 1112 S. Cushman Ave., Tacoma.
    • UW Medicine Primary and Urgent Care, 32018 23rd Ave. S., Federal Way.

    Prevent transmission

    • Educate your patients on safe sex practices and contraception.
    • Link eligible patients to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PreP) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP).
    • Screen for additional STIs.
    • Advocate for better health and social services for patients at risk of HIV/AIDS.
    • Prevent unsafe injection practices in healthcare settings.

    Resources