HIV is the virus that leads to AIDS and affects many people in South Africa and in George. It is important to know your status and become informed. Having an HIV test may be frightening, but it is a positive step forward and we encourage you to go for it. You (and your partner) are invited to make an appointment with one of our trained counsellors. Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) is available free at Options Care Centre. The appointment will take about an hour and is completely confidential. The test itself is a rapid test and the results are presented to you within the hour of your appointment.  

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Are you at risk?

HIV is spread from person to person through:

• Sexual contact with an infected person

• Contact between infected blood or bodily fluids (an open wound, sharing needles, or a needle prick)

• Mother to child during pregnancy, delivery or breastfeeding. 

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It is important to note that if you are HIV positive it does not mean that your unborn child will be infected too. Please make an appointment with one of our specialised counselors for more information and guidance on this.

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Options Care Centre can offer you immediate support from your counsellor if your test is positive.

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Options has several weekly Support Groups for people who are HIV+. Your counsellor will be available for ongoing counselling and will connect you with other local resources and medical services when needed. Options offers other services and forms of support that will also be available to you.

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If you and/or your partner want to have an HIV test done or would like to talk to someone about your HIV status or find out more information about HIV/Aids, please visit our offices and make an appointment with one of our counsellors.