HIV Prevention Program
The HIV Prevention Program focuses on identifying persons with HIV, informing them of their status, and linking them to care. Key services include Rapid HIV Testing and Linkage To Care or PrEP. These efforts support the National HIV/AIDS Strategy to reduce new HIV infections, increase access to care to improve health outcomes for people living with HIV, and reduce HIV-related health disparities.
Partner elicitation services, linkage to care, retention and reengagement in care, health education/risk reduction, and rapid hepatitis C testing are additional prevention services provided by the program.
For more information, please call the HIV Prevention Program at (800) 255-6560.
Rapid HIV Testing & Counseling
In-person rapid HIV testing services are provided on a walk-in basis at community sites via the Mobile Testing Unit (MTU). Testing walk-in hours are scheduled monthly for each mobile site (see schedule below). The rapid test provides results in 20 minutes. All results are given in person. HIV risk assessment and counseling services are provided during the testing process. Partner elicitation services and linkage to care and treatment are provided to persons with HIV.
All testing services are FREE AND CONFIDENTIAL for persons 12 years of age and older (if under 12, parental consent is required). Rapid testing sites are OPEN TO THE PUBLIC and NO APPOINTMENT IS REQUIRED. Free informational brochures, latex condoms, internal (“female”) condoms, dental dams, lubricant, and bleach kits are available.
Self-test HIV test kits are also available by mail by request. Please see further details below.
For additional information on our rapid HIV testing services, please call (800) 255-6560.
The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) recommends everyone between the ages of 13 and 64 get tested for HIV at least once, and people at higher risk should get tested more often. CDC also recommends routine HIV screening for all adults, adolescents and pregnant women in all health care settings. Reproductive Health and STD Services include routine HIV screening.
For clinical services, including STD testing, call (800) 722-4777 to make an appointment at a Public Health Center.
Two mobile testing sites have resumed in-person services offering rapid HIV testing via our Mobile Testing Unit. Please see details below.
All other mobile testing sites remain closed.
Rapid HIV Testing
Currently there are two mobile sites with walk-in hours for rapid testing. The HIV Prevention Program also offers HIV self-test kits by mail. Another self-test option is ordering a kit from the TakeMeHome.co website. Rapid testing is also available by appointment at one of the Department’s Health Centers. All services are confidential.
To see further details for the rapid HIV testing options, click on drop-down boxes to the right.
The HIV Prevention Program is offering FREE rapid HIV testing at two community sites via their Mobile Testing Unit. Receive results within 20-40 minutes. No appointment necessary. Use of face mask is required during visit.
Schedule and locations are as follow:
1st and 3rd Thursdays each month
9:30am – 12:30pm
Barstow Public Health Clinic
303 E. Mountain View St.
Barstow, CA 92311
(in the parking lot)
1st and 3rd Fridays each month
9:30am – 12:30pm
Big Bear Public Health Clinic
477 Summit Blvd.
Big Bear Lake, CA 92315
(in the parking lot)
The HIV Prevention Program is offering the In-Home HIV Test Kit for FREE to San Bernardino County residents. To request a kit be mailed out to you, you must call (800) 255-6560 to complete an assessment with a test counselor.
The self-test kit includes an antibody-only rapid test that will produce results in 20 minutes. It is a self administered gums swab. The kit will be mailed to you in a small box.
Call (800) 255-6560 to speak with a Test Counselor and request a test kit. All information is confidential. The Program staff can also provide guidance on how to complete the test and/or provide other HIV-related information.
FREE In-Home HIV Test Kits can be ordered online through TakeMeHome.co. To be eligible you must be at least 18 years old, have a mailing address within San Bernardino County, and have either never tested or tested over 12 months ago. All information is confidential.
The self-test kit includes an antibody-only rapid test that will produce results in 20 minutes. It is a self administered gums swab. The kit will be mailed to you in a shipping envelope or box.
If you need guidance on how to complete the test, need resources for PrEP or treatment, and/or want other HIV-related information, please call the HIV Prevention Program at (800) 255-6560.
Rapid HIV testing is offered at the four Public Health Federally Qualified Health Centers. Call (800) 722-4777 to make an appointment. PLEASE NOTE: A service fee is applied and insurance information will be requested. Call for more information.
San Bernardino Health Center
606 E. Mill Street, San Bernardino 92408
Ontario Health Center
150 E. Holt Boulevard, 2nd Floor, Ontario 91761
Hesperia Health Center
16453 Bear Valley Road, Hesperia 92345
Adelanto Health Center
11336 Bartlett Avenue, Suite 11, Adelanto 92301
Prevention and Linkage To Care Services
Prevention Education
HIV Prevention education services provided include Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) information and resources, the basics of HIV transmission, risk reduction counseling, treatment adherence support, partner elicitation services (assistance in disclosing HIV status to partners), and referrals to other available resources. Click PrEP 101, for more information on PrEP.
Linkage to Care
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has announced studies show viral suppression (having an undetectable viral load) prevents sexual transmission of HIV. The HIV Prevention Program conducts Linkage To Care (LTC) outreach efforts to retain and/or reengage patients in HIV medical care to ensure continuous treatment so that patients may reach undetectable viral levels. The LTC service is provided to HIV-positive individuals receiving medical care and treatment in the Public Health Department’s HIV Specialty Clinics located in San Bernardino, Ontario and Hesperia. Click HIV Treatment for more information on the importance of staying linked to care.
Other HIV Prevention Services
Street-level outreach is provided for individuals at highest risk of contracting HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). FREE monthly educational workshops are offered to satisfy court orders for HIV/AIDS classes. A certificate of completion is provided to participants. Please call (800) 255-6560 to register.
View the HIV 101 Fact Sheet. Additional online resources are available on the Reports, Data & Resources page. To speak with a Health Educator on treatment and additional resources, please call (800) 255-6560.