5 ways Evergreen makes STI testing easy

April is STI (Sexually Transmitted Infection) Awareness Month! STIs (also known as STDs) are a common medical issue that many people don’t think to get tested for regularly, either because they don’t have visible symptoms or because of the stigma and fear surrounding STIs.

STIs can happen to anyone who’s sexually active, and by age 25 half of all Americans will have experienced an STI. Since many STIs can have no symptoms, the only way to know if you have one is to get tested.

Getting tested regularly if you’re sexually active, even when you don’t have symptoms, can prevent transmission to your community and can keep you from experiencing other health complications due to STIs.

The good news is: everything we test for, we can treat. Appointments are easy to schedule, and tests are performed by our non-judgmental, educational providers. Here are 5 ways we make STI testing easy, comfortable and fast at Evergreen.

1. STI testing is easy to schedule

Testing is easy to schedule at Evergreen, and we can usually honor same-day appointment requests. Just give us a call at 716.847.2441 and ask for Primary and Specialty Care, or you can schedule an appointment online (or through your patient portal if you’re already an Evergreen patient).

Free and confidential testing for LGBTQ+ people of color is also available at MOCHA by appointment or during drop-in testing hours.

For STI testing you’ll get your results within a week, and for HIV and hepatitis C testing you’ll know your preliminary results in 20 minutes.

2. Everything we test for, we can treat

We test for STIs, HIV and hepatitis C, all of which are treatable.

It’s important to get STIs tested and treated as soon as possible to prevent them from causing other health issues. We screen for STIs like chlamydia and syphilis, as well as non-STI sexual health issues like bacterial vaginosis and candida. Once we get your test results, we start you on any necessary treatments right away.

Evergreen specializes in hepatitis C care, and for most patients, hepatitis C can be cured with very few side effects. We offer an antiviral treatment for hepatitis C that takes 8-12 weeks, with support every step of the way.

We also specialize in HIV care – in fact, Evergreen was founded under the name AIDS Community Services in 1983 to serve people facing the emerging HIV and AIDS crisis.

Today, people living with HIV who reach an undetectable viral load through medications can be as healthy and long-lived as people without HIV. Further, people living with HIV who reach undetectable status can not transmit HIV. We start patients on treatment the day they test positive, and offer individual and group support to help keep their treatment on track.

3. Non-judgmental and educational care

We know there can be stigma and fear surrounding STIs that can keep people from going to get tested. We do our best to alleviate this pressure for our patients with our confidential, non-judgmental and educational approach to sexual health.

From when you call to schedule an STI appointment through when we follow up with test results and treatment if needed, we want you to feel comfortable and empowered to take care of your sexual health.

As with all our services, we take a harm reduction approach by meeting you where you are without judgment, and only taking the steps you’re ready to take to care for your sexual health.

4. We make the cost of testing work for you

Because STI testing is so important, we don’t turn anyone away due to an inability to pay. We accept a wide range of insurance plans, and our financial counseling team offers a sliding scale fee for uninsured or underinsured patients. Anyone 16 and older that needs STI testing can get it at Evergreen and our affiliates.

Our sliding fee and other assistance options are also available for patients who need long-term treatment or prevention services. Your sexual health matters, and we will make the cost of testing, treatment and prevention affordable for you.

5. We help with STI prevention, too

Though STIs, HIV and hepatitis C are treatable, there are steps we can help you take to keep you from acquiring them.

The easiest prevention tool we offer to Evergreen patients, as well as community members who aren’t patients, is our Safer Sex Bar, where you can grab as many free external and internal condoms, dental dams and lubes as you need.

You can find the Condom Bar in the lobby of 206 S. Elmwood Ave. Free safer sex supplies are also available in Primary and Specialty Care areas at all of our Buffalo and Jamestown locations, at our affiliates the Pride Center and Community Access Services, at MOCHA and at the drop-in center.

Organizations can also request free safer sex kits from the Pride Center for their events and venues.

Evergreen specializes in PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis), a medication that prevents HIV-negative people from acquiring HIV. We now offer several ways to take PrEP, and we will make the cost of prevention work for you. Ask your primary care provider or pharmacist about which PrEP method is best for you.

40 years of STI, HIV and hepatitis C care

2023 marks Evergreen’s 40^th anniversary. Each month this year, we’re taking a look back at where we’ve come from to better see where we are now.

1983: AIDS Community Services (later named Evergreen Health) is founded by a group of volunteers to address the emerging HIV and AIDS crisis

2002: ACS launches a multi-media campaign with the slogan Getting Tested Saved My Life to encourage people to know their HIV status

2004: ACS receives federal funding from the CDC to provide rapid HIV testing

2011: Evergreen begins offering screening and treatment for STIs

2012: Evergreen begins offering rapid testing and treatment for hepatitis C

2015: Evergreen purchases a mobile van custom-equipped for HIV and hepatitis C rapid testing

2018: Evergreen opens a location in Jamestown and begins offering STI, HIV and hepatitis C testing there

Evergreen Health, founded in 1983 under the name AIDS Community Services, has been providing unconditional care to underserved communities for 40 years.

Help us continue to provide unconditional medical, behavioral and supportive services for another 40 years by becoming a donor today.