Provides information regarding HIV/STD transmission, referral to services, HIV antibody counseling and testing (anonymous and confidential), individual and group support for HIV positive individuals, educational presentations to high risk populations.  

HIV/STD Program offered at Snohomish County Health Department

Provides information regarding HIV/STD/Viral Hepatitis transmission, referral to services, HIV antibody testing and counseling.

Programs that offer HIV tests which are used to identify individuals who have been infected with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and are at risk for developing AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) or which are used to measure progression of the disease in people known to be infected. The most common HIV screening test is the enzyme immunoassay (EIA) which most frequently uses peripheral blood drawn from the arm or a finger as a sample, but can also be conducted using serum, oral fluids or urine. Repeatedly reactive EIA tests are confirmed using the Western blot or the immunofluorescence assay (IFA). The most common test that is used to measure disease progression is the PCR (polymeraise chain reaction) or viral load test. Many programs that provide HIV testing also provide pre-testing and post-test counseling which includes information about AIDS/HIV, reducing risks for HIV transmission, emotional support to help the individual deal with the testing process and test results, and information about and referral to other AIDS-related services.

HIV Testing

Programs that provide comprehensive preventive, diagnostic and treatment services for people who have contracted gonorrhea, syphilis, genital herpes or another infection that is transmitted by sexual contact. Treatment usually involves an investigation of recent contacts of people who have been infected to stop the spread of the infection .

Sexually Transmitted Infection Treatment

Programs that attempt to control the occurrence of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), a group of symptoms (including certain infections and/or cancers) that collectively characterize the condition and are the result of a weakening of the immune system caused by infection with HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus). Activities include surveillance of the occurrence of the disease in the community, investigation of individual cases, and development of case histories and other interventions that will help to increase the medical establishment's understanding of the causes of the diseases and potential methods of prevention and cure. AIDS control activities are often initiated by local HIV prevention planning groups that are responsible for developing needs assessments and planning long and short-term strategies specific to target communities as determined by the studies.

AIDS/HIV Control

Programs that maintain information about community resources that are appropriate for a specific target group or human services sector (for example, youth programs or addiction services) and which link individuals who are in need of specialized services with appropriate resources and/or which provide information about community agencies and organizations that offer specialized services.

Specialized Information and Referral

Programs that provide information about specific health and health-related topics including diseases and conditions, birth control, alcohol and drug abuse, mental health, safety and other similar topics that interested individuals can access on a website or in person, or by telephone, email, chat, text or other communication channel. Information may be in a self-serve, browsable format (for example a web resource directory or library of audio recordings) or provided by live agents with expertise in the field.

Medical Information Services

Programs that control the occurrence of gonorrhea, syphilis, genital herpes and other infections that are transmitted by sexual contact by monitoring the incidence of the infections in the general population, investigating individual outbreaks, and identifying and screening recent contacts of people who are infected to stop the spread of infections.

Sexually Transmitted Infection Control

Programs that identify individuals who have contracted gonorrhea, syphilis, genital herpes or other infections that are spread by sexual contact and diagnose their conditions. The procedure includes visual examinations, blood tests and analyses of discharge or samples taken from lesions.

Sexually Transmitted Infection Screening

Programs that distribute pamphlets, brochures, journals, monographs, manuals, booklets or other literature to increase the public's awareness of the need for or availability of services in a particular geographical or service area or for a particular target group; the causes, detection and treatment of a particular disease, disability or condition and means for its prevention; or specific social problems which affect the community and potential solutions. Included are publications and those that are distributed in printed format, as well as those available in digital format that the public can download and print themselves.

Printed/Printable Materials

Programs that develop plans for the evaluation, treatment and/or care of individuals who, because of age, illness, disability or other difficulties, need assistance in planning and arranging for services; which assess the individual's needs; coordinate the delivery of needed services; ensure that services are obtained in accordance with the case plan; and follow up and monitor progress to ensure that services are having a beneficial impact on the individual. Case management is a collaborative process characterized by communication, advocacy and resource management to promote high quality, cost-effective interventions and outcomes.