The Lincoln County Health Department is happy to announce an addition to its services. The Health Department is now partnering with the AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin (ARCW) to provide free hepatitis C and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing to residents of Lincoln County that qualify. ARCW is a leading provider of innovative and aggressive prevention services to help at-risk individuals to stay free of HIV, hepatitis C and other sexually transmitted infections. ARCW prevention services are designed to meet all individuals and help them get the information, materials and programs they need to live long, healthy lives. The clinics will be held at the Lincoln County Health Department on the fourth Tuesday of each month starting on Tuesday, Sept. 27. Testing will be completed by appointment, but walk-ins are also welcome. Testing will be offered from 8:30 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1-4 p.m. The address for the Lincoln County Health Department is 607 N. Sales St., Suite 101 in Merrill.
To qualify for free hepatitis C testing, residents must have one of the following risk factors:
•You were born between 1946-1964
•You are a Veteran
•You now or have ever participated in recreational injection or non-injection drug use and have shared equipment involved in that process
•You now or have ever had sexual intercourse with a person with a history of recreational injection drug use
•You now or have ever had sexual intercourse with a person whom is hepatitis C positive
•You have ever had a sexually transmitted disease (STD)
•You now or have ever traded sexual intercourse for money, drugs, shelter, etc.
To qualify for free HIV testing, residents must have one of the following risk factors:
•You are a man who has sex with men
•You now or have ever participated in recreational drug use and/or have shared injection or non-injection equipment
•You now or have ever had sexual intercourse with an individual whom you know is HIV positive
•You now or have ever had sexual intercourse with an individual with a history of recreational injection drug use
•You identify as a female and have ever had sexual intercourse with a bisexual man
•You have ever had an STD
To schedule an appointment contact Carley Zartner, Prevention Specialist at ARCW at 715-355-6867 ext. 3704.
“As we continue to see an increase in hepatitis C cases in Lincoln County, I hope that all eligible residents take an opportunity to get tested,” states Kristi Krombholz disease investigation nurse at Lincoln County Health Department. “Many people have this disease for many years with no symptoms, so they may not even suspect they have hepatitis C.”
For more information on hepatitis C, HIV, or the upcoming clinics, please contact the Lincoln County Health Department at 715-536-0307 and ask to speak with Kristi Krombholz. For more information about Lincoln County Health Department’s programs and services, visit lincolncountyhealthdepartment.com or find on Facebook.