Comprehensive HIV, Hepatitis, and STD Testing and Treatment
Expert, judgment-free care to support your health journey, with personalized treatment plans and accessible services at Healthy Connections locations across Arkansas.
888-710-8220
Healthy Connections provides comprehensive, judgment-free testing and treatment for HIV, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and STDs at locations across Central and Western Arkansas. Our expert team offers personalized care, including medication management and prevention education, to help patients take control of their health.
Services
HIV, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and STD Testing and Treatment at Healthy Connections
At Healthy Connections, we provide comprehensive testing and treatment services for HIV, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Our mission is to ensure that everyone has access to the care they need in an environment that prioritizes dignity, privacy, and compassion. These services are available at Healthy Connections locations throughout Central and Western Arkansas, with Hepatitis B and STD services offered at select locations.
Testing for HIV, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and STDs: Fast, Convenient, and Judgment-Free
Healthy Connections offers fast and convenient testing for HIV, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and STDs. Testing is performed through a simple blood test, and we guarantee a confidential, judgment-free experience. Our compassionate team is here to guide you through the process, whether you are testing for the first time or returning for follow-up care. Knowing your status is the first step toward better health, and we are here to support you every step of the way.
Hepatitis C and B Treatment: Personalized Care
For those who test positive for Hepatitis C or B, Healthy Connections provides expert care with a personalized approach. Our providers will conduct further testing to assess liver health and create a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs. Most patients undergo an 8- to 12-week course of medication for Hepatitis C, while Hepatitis B treatment is typically managed through long-term antiviral therapy. Regular follow-up visits ensure treatment success, and we are dedicated to supporting your recovery.
STD Treatment and Support
In addition to testing, Healthy Connections offers treatment for a wide range of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Our team provides judgment-free care, ensuring patients receive the necessary treatments and education to manage and prevent future infections. We offer a supportive environment focused on helping patients maintain their health and well-being.
Ongoing HIV Care and Support
At Healthy Connections, we provide ongoing care for patients living with HIV. Our team works closely with each patient to develop a treatment plan focused on managing the condition effectively. Through adherence to prescribed medications, regular health monitoring, and lifestyle counseling, we help our patients live vibrant, fulfilling lives. We also emphasize education around safer practices to prevent transmission and the importance of connecting with supportive communities.
Accessible Care Close to Home
Healthy Connections offers testing and treatment for HIV, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and STDs at locations throughout Central and Western Arkansas. Our clinics are staffed by experienced providers who are committed to offering high-quality, compassionate care. We accept Medicaid, Medicare, and most health insurance plans, and offer a sliding fee scale for qualifying uninsured patients, ensuring that cost is not a barrier to accessing the care you need.
Take Control of Your Health: Schedule a Test Today
If you are at risk for HIV, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, or STDs, we encourage you to get tested today. Early detection and treatment are essential for maintaining your health and well-being. Schedule an appointment at Healthy Connections by calling 888-710-8220, or visit our website to find a location near you.
Your health is our priority. At Healthy Connections, we are committed to empowering our patients to live healthier lives, providing the care, support, and guidance needed to thrive.
Providers Include
Patrick J. Fox, MD
Primary Care, MAT, HIV
TERRY JEFFERSON, MD
Assistant Medical Director, Primary Care, MAT, PrEP, HIV, LGBTQ+
SHARON MEADOR, MD
MAT, PrEP, HIV, LGBTQ+
Absalom H. Tilley, MD
Internal Medicine
Leslie Ward, MD
Primary Care
Kristin Brown, APRN
Primary Care
Matthew Huskey, APRN
Primary Care
Zachary Geiling, APRN
Primary Care, Cardiology, Vascular
Lindy Jumper, APRN
Primary Care, BioTE
Testing for Specific STI
Here are some guidelines for STI testing for specific sexually transmitted infections.
Chlamydia and gonorrhea
Get screened annually if:
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You’re a sexually active woman under age 25
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You’re a woman older than 25 and at risk of STIs — for example, if you’re having sex with a new partner or multiple partners
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You’re a man who has sex with men
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You have HIV
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You’ve been forced to have intercourse or engage in sexual activity against your will
Chlamydia and gonorrhea screening is done either through a urine test or through a swab inside the penis in men or from the cervix in women. The sample is then analyzed in a laboratory. Screening is important, because if you don’t have signs or symptoms, you can be unaware that you have either infection.
HIV, syphilis and hepatitis
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) encourages HIV testing, at least once, as a routine part of medical care if you’re an adolescent or adult between the ages of 13 and 64. Younger teens should be tested if they have a high risk of an STI. The CDC advises yearly HIV testing if you are at high risk of infection.
Hepatitis C screening is recommended for everyone born between 1945 and 1965. The incidence of hepatitis C is high in this age group, and the disease often has no symptoms until it’s advanced. Vaccines are available for both hepatitis A and B if screening shows you haven’t been exposed to these viruses.
Request testing for HIV, syphilis and hepatitis if you:
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Test positive for another STI, which puts you at greater risk of other STIs
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Have had more than one sexual partner (or if your partner has had multiple partners) since your last test
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Use intravenous (IV) drugs
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Are a man who has sex with men
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Are pregnant or planning on becoming pregnant
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Have been forced to have intercourse or engage in sexual activity against your will
Your doctor tests you for syphilis by taking either a blood sample or a swab from any genital sores you might have. The sample is examined in a laboratory. A blood sample is taken to test for HIV and hepatitis.
Genital herpes
No good screening test exists for herpes, a viral infection that can be transmitted even when a person doesn’t have symptoms. Your doctor may take a tissue scraping or culture of blisters or early ulcers, if you have them, for examination in a laboratory. But a negative test doesn’t rule out herpes as a cause for genital ulcerations.
A blood test also may help detect a past herpes infection, but results aren’t always conclusive. Some blood tests can help differentiate between the two main types of the herpes virus.
Type 1 is the virus that more typically causes cold sores, although it can also cause genital sores.
Type 2 is the virus that causes genital sores more often.
Still, the results may not be totally clear, depending on the sensitivity of the test and the stage of the infection. False-positive and false-negative results are possible.
HPV
Certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV) can cause cervical cancer while other varieties of HPV can cause genital warts. Many sexually active people become infected with HPV at some point in their lives, but never develop symptoms. The virus typically disappears within two years.
There’s no routinely used HPV screening test for men, in whom the infection is diagnosed by visual inspection or biopsy of genital warts. In women,
HPV testing involves:
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Pap test. Pap tests, which check the cervix for abnormal cells, are recommended every three years for women between ages 21 and 65.
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HPV test. Women over 30 may be offered the option to have the HPV test along with a Pap test every five years if previous tests were normal. Women between 21 and 30 will be given an HPV test if they’ve had abnormal results on their Pap test.
HPV has also been linked to cancer of the vulva, vagina, penis, anus, and mouth and throat.
Vaccines can protect both men and women from some types of HPV, but they are most effective when administered before sexual activity begins.
Positive Test Results
If you test positive for an STI, the next step is to consider further testing and then get treatment as recommended by your doctor. In addition, inform your sex partners. Your partners need to be evaluated and treated, because you can pass some infections back and forth.
Expect to feel various emotions. You may feel ashamed, angry or afraid. It may help to remind yourself that you’ve done the right thing by getting tested so that you can inform your partners and get treated. Talk with your doctor about your concerns