TAMPA, Fla. — Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) are more preventable and treatable as more resources become available. Still, people of all ages exposed to threats are encouraged to get tested regularly.
This year, June 27 marks National HIV Testing Day, which offers free testing for HIV, AIDS and STI/STDs throughout the Tampa area.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) chose this year's theme: “Level up your self-love: check your status." It says this emphasizes honoring your health needs with self-love.
The Tampa Bay area has plenty of free testing across its counties, and residents can make appointments or walk in.
Hernando County
- Florida Department of Health
- Confidential testing
- Offers treatment with or without insurance
- Free testing year-round
- Patients receive a $20 grocery store voucher after completing a STD test
- Spring Hill location: 7551 Forest Oaks Blvd., Spring Hill, FL 34606
- Open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday
- Brooksville location: 300 South Main St., Brooksville, FL 34601
- Open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Wednesday
Hillsborough County
- Planned Parenthood Tampa
- Confidential testing
- Offers treatment with or without insurance
- HIV testing year-round, free on June 27, 2024
- 8068 North 56th St., Tampa, FL 33617
Manatee County
- Florida Department of Health
- Confidential testing
- Offers treatment with or without insurance
- Free testing year-round locations can be found on the FDOH event calendar
- National HIV/AIDS Awareness Day 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 923 6th St W, Palmetto, FL 34221
Pasco County
- Florida Department of Health
- Cost depends on insurance and location
- Offers treatment with or without insurance
- 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 27, 2024, at Summitt Professional: 7509 SR 52, Hudson, FL 34668
- This is the only FDOH Pasco location that offers anonymous HIV testing.
- 9 a.m. to noon, June 27, 2024, at the corner of US Hwy 19 N and SR 52 Hudson, FL 34668
Pinellas County
- Florida Department of Health
- No-cost testing
- Offers treatment with or without insurance
- National HIV/AIDS Awareness Day 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 3350 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, FL 33712
- Miscellaneous free rapid year-round HIV test sites
- Empath Partners in Care (EPIC)
- Monday, Wednesday, Thursday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Tuesday: 8 a.m.-6 p.m.; Friday: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- 3050 First Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33712
- EPIC St. Pete campus
- Monday-Friday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- 3050 1st Ave. South, St. Petersburg, FL 33712
- EPIC Clearwater
- Monday-Friday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- 5771 Roosevelt Blvd, Clearwater, FL 33760
- EPIC Tampa campus
- Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- 4703 N. Florida Ave., Tampa, FL 33603
- The Metro Center
- Monday, Tuesday: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Wednesday, Thursday: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- 3251 3rd Ave. North, Suite 125 St. Petersburg, FL 33713
- The Metro Center: Metropolitan Charities Thrift & Gift Store
- First Saturday of every month, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- 2235 Central Avenue St. Petersburg, FL 33712
- Empath Partners in Care (EPIC)
Polk County
- Florida Department of Health
- HIV and STD testing is located at all clinics during regular business hours.
- Testing comes with a fee
- Auburndale Clinic
- Bartow Specialty Care
- 1255 Brice Blvd, Bartow, FL 33830
- Anonymous testing is available
- Haines City Clinic
- Lakeland Clinic
Sarasota County
- Florida Department of Health
- $20 testing, based on eligibility to pay. No one is turned away if unable to pay.
- Year-round HIV, AIDS and STD/STI testing
- Anonymous and confidential testing available
- Health in Motion mobile medical unit
- Times, dates, and places are based on their calendar and can be found on their website.
- North Port Health Center
- Monday-Friday: 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Tuesday: 7-11 a.m., 3-5 p.m.
- 6950 Outreach Way, North Port, FL 34287
- William L. Little Health and Human Services Center
- Monday-Friday: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Tuesday: 7-11 a.m., 3-6 p.m.
- 2200 Ringling Blvd, Sarasota, FL 34237
- Orenda Health and Wellness
- No-cost awareness event and testing
- Free PReP resources
- 9 a.m.-5 p.m., June 27, 2024
- 1680 Fruitville Road Sarasota, FL 34236
Those who test negative for HIV can use HIV prevention tools, like pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), which can reduce the risk of contracting HIV by at least 74%, according to the CDC. The agency also recommends safe sex practices to prevent the risk of contracting it through someone who is already positive, such as condoms.
Those who test positive for HIV can receive HIV treatment, called antiretroviral therapy (ART), to stay healthy.
"The path to life-saving treatment starts with testing." the CDC says.
