Comprehensive Sexuality Education

Portage County Health District provides HIV and Hepatitis C prevention and education services to Portage County residents. The goal of this program to encourage persons to adopt sexual behavior modifications that may reduce the transmission of the HIV and Hepatitis C.

To learn more about HIV and Hep C prevention and education or to schedule an appointment, call Kat at 330-296-9919, ext. 107.

HIV Facts & Frequently Asked Questions:

HIV is spread by blood, semen, vaginal fluids, and/or breast milk getting from an infected person into another body. This frequently happens through:

  • Unprotected sexual contact (vaginal, oral, anal) with an infected person.
  • Sharing needles for injectable drug use, tattooing, or piercing with an infected person.
  • From a mother infected with HIV to her baby through pregnancy or breast feeding.

Who should be tested for HIV?
Anyone who has had unprotected sex (any kind) or shared needles (any kind) with someone whose HIV status is not known.

When should you be tested for HIV?
The most accurate time to get tested is 6 months after the last risky activity involving unprotected sex or shared needles.

Where to get testing for HIV? 
No Insurance: 

  • Planned Parenthood - 330-678-8011 - sliding fee scale and services may be free in some circumstances.
  • AxessPointe - 330-673-1016 - sliding fee scale. 

Insurance:

  • Primary care physician
  • Planned Parenthood - 330-678-8011
  • AxessPointe - 330-673-1016

How can you protect yourself?

  • Be abstinent. Abstinence is 100% safe. This means no vaginal, oral or anal sexual intercourse.
  • Be monogamous. This means to have sex with only one partner who is only having sex with you. That partner should not be infected with HIV and should not share needles with anyone.
  • Use a condom, female condom, dental dam, or other protection for every sexual activity including vaginal, oral, and anal sexual intercourse.
  • Do not share needles for drug use, tattoos, or piercing.
  • Get tested if you have been involved in risky activities involving unprotected sex or shared needles.