HIV Prevention Program

HIV Prevention

HIV PEP and PrEP are medications that can keep you HIV negative.  Find out more by clicking here.

Having a sexually transmitted infection (STI) increases one’s risk of getting HIV.  Learn more about STI prevention, treatment, and resources.

Condoms are highly effective in the prevention of HIV and certain other sexually transmitted infections.

Visit these locations for free condoms located in lobby bathrooms:

• Watsonville Health Center at 1430 Freedom Blvd in Watsonville
• Watsonville Public Health Office, Suite A at 1430 Freedom Blvd in Watsonville
• Santa Cruz County Public Health Office at 1060 Emeline Ave. In Santa Cruz

Sterile needles prevent new HIV infections. Syringe service programs play an important role in reducing the transmission of HIV, viral hepatitis, and other infections. For local syringe service resources, visit the Santa Cruz County Safe Use and Overdose Prevention Program.

The only way to know your HIV status is to get tested. Knowing your status gives you powerful information to keep you and your partner healthy.  Fast, free and discreet HIV tests can be mailed to you. For more information and to order your free HIV test kit, visit Take Me Home.

Did you know?

People with HIV who take their medication as prescribed and have an undetectable viral load cannot pass HIV to their sexual partners.  Learn more from these webpages below:

• HIV Undetectable Equals Untransmittable - Factsheet - October 2019 (ca.gov)
• VIH I=I: Indetectable = Intransmisible (ca.gov)

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