HIV Integrated Programs
What is HIV?
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a virus that attacks and weakens the body’s immune system, leaving it unable to fight infections and diseases.
If left untreated, HIV can develop into acquired immune deficiency syndrome or AIDS. AIDS is the final stage of HIV where the immune system is defenseless against illnesses or infections.
More than 40,000 people in Illinois live with HIV or AIDS and more than half of those individuals reside in Chicago. There are approximately 1,000 new cases of HIV diagnosed in Chicago every year.
Get Protection and Stay Safe
(Prevention Methods)
Most people who get HIV get it through anal or vaginal sex, or sharing needles, syringes, or other drug injection equipment. But there are powerful tools that can help prevent HIV transmission.
DoxyPEP for STI Prevention (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis)
Reduces the chance of contracting an STI up to 72 hours after exposure.
70% effective at reducing the transmission of chlamydia and syphilis.
55% – 60% effective at reducing the transmission of gonorrhea.
PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis)
Emergency medicine used to prevent HIV within 72 hours of potentially being exposed through unprotected sex or sharing needles.
Not an effective long-term or frequent treatment and should not be a substitute for regular use of other HIV prevention.
PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis)
A daily prevention pill or an injection administered every other month for HIV negative individuals, who are vulnerable to getting HIV.
99% effective at reducing the risk of getting HIV from sex; 74%effective at reducing the risk of getting HIV from injection drug use when taken as prescribed.
Condoms
Most condoms are highly effective in preventing HIV and certain other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), like gonorrhea and chlamydia.
Condoms provide less protection against STDs that can be transmitted through sores or curs on the skin, like HPV, genital herpes and syphilis.
Sexual Activities with Less Risk
You have other options aside from vaginal and anal sex. Oral sex is an option that is significantly less likely to transmit HIV.
You can’t get HIV from sexual activities that don’t involve contact with body fluids (semen, vaginal fluid or blood).
Get Tested and Treated for Other STDs
Getting tested and treated for other STDs can lower your chances of getting HIV.
Many people with an STD may not know they have one because they don’t have symptoms.
Staying in Treatment If You or Your Partner Has HIV
Someone who takes their HIV medicine regularly can become undetectable, which means the amount of virus (viral load) in their blood is so low that it cannot be detected.
If you or your partner are and remain undetectable you cannot transmit HIV.
Get Some Testing
All individuals who are sexually active should prioritize their health by getting tested for HIV annually. While men who have
sex with men are encouraged to get tested every three to six months for early detection and prevention.
You should be tested annually for HIV if you:
- Had unprotected vaginal, oral or anal sex with more than one partner in the last year.
- Had unprotected vaginal, oral or anal sex with an HIV-positive partner.
- Are a man who has had sex with another man.
- Been diagnosed with another STD or STI.
- Been treated for tuberculosis or hepatitis.
- Exchanged sex or drugs for money.
- Used IV or injection drugs or shared injection drugs with others.
You can receive HIV testing at all Cook County Health centers.
Get Some Treatment
While there is no cure for HIV/AIDS, medical advancements in treatments, prevention and early detection have resulted in people living longer and healthier lives. If you have tested positive for HIV, visit your doctor to immediately begin antiretroviral treatment (ART) immediately. The earlier treatment begins, the easier it will be to manage the virus and continue your life.
Antiretroviral Treatment (ART) is prescribed medication that controls HIV. Overtime, it reduces the virus in your blood and other bodily fluids to help your immune system recover and can achieve an undetectable viral load. Once you are undetectable, you cannot transmit HIV.
Learn more about preventing HIV transmission.
Getting the Care You Need, When You Need It
Find an HIV integrated program near you.
To schedule an appointment at any of the health centers listed below, please call the Access Line at 312-572-4500.
For Provident Hosptial, please call 312-572-2000.
Get to Know the Team
Alice Cameron, PharmD
Executive Director, HIV Services
Ruth M. Rothstein CORE Center
Monica Mercon, MD, PhD, MPH
Medical Director
Ruth M. Rothstein CORE Center
Lindsey Roden, MA, MPH
Manager of Patient Centered CareRuth M. Rothstein CORE Center
Kerianne Burke, MPH
Research, Program ManagerRuth M. Rothstein CORE Center
Curissa Sutherland-Smith, PhD, LCPC
Director of Behavioral Health Services
Ruth M. Rothstein CORE Center
Oscar Medina
Regional Community Testing CoordinatorRuth M. Rothstein CORE Center
Victoria Sewinski
Regional PrEP Coordinator, WestAustin Health Center
Alfredo Delgado
Site Team Leader
Austin Health Center
Lasheena Miller, EdD, MHA
CCHIP Senior Program Director
Ruth M. Rothstein CORE Center
Samantha Spedoske, MPH
Site Team Leader, SSHARC ClinicsBlue Island Health Center
Lauren Singh, MPH
Program Management Administrator
Ruth M. Rothstein Core Center
Carmelita Coronel, RN, BSN
Divisional Nursing DirectorRuth M. Rothstein CORE Center
Jackie Lee, MSN, RN
Nurse Coordinator IIRuth M. Rothstein CORE Center
Blanca Lopez, MPH
Director of Integrated Social Services
Ruth M. Rothstein CORE Center
Gregory Norels
Program Manager, HIV ServicesProvident Hospital of Cook County
Arielle Antwine
Regional PrEP Coordinator, South
Provident Hospital and SSHARC Clinics
Kevin Smith, MPA, ASCP, CHAM
Manager, Patient AccessRuth M. Rothstein CORE Center
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Tahannie Barlow
Integrated Care CoordinatorProvident Hospital
Amthul Papa
Senior Data Manager Provident Hospital and SSHARC ClinicsGet to know our infectious disease physicians here
Ways to Contact Us
Warmline
312-572-4515
A messaging service available 24/7, with voicemails being checked and returned 3-times a day on weekdays. Messages after 5pm will be returned the next business day.
Walk-ins Welcome
Ruth M. Rothstein CORE Center
2020 W. Harrison St. Chicago, IL 60612
312-572-4700
To contact the walk-in STI Screening Clinic, call Monday – Friday, 8:30am to 3:30pm. Same-day HIV/STI services are provided.
Access Line
Schedule an appointment, Monday through Friday from 9am – 5pm. Calls are directed to an available live representative.
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