We empower women living with, affected by, or at risk for HIV.
“HOCC is the only place that the truth is spoken about HIV and I can share it with my family – I am stronger today.”
-HOCC participant for 10 years/March 2020
Women and HIV
One in four people living with HIV in the United States is a woman. Women of all ages, races, and ethnicities can get HIV, but some women are more at risk than others.
All women are at risk for HIV, but African-American and Hispanic women are disproportionately affected by HIV. Below are the lifetime risks of getting infected for African-American, Hispanic, and white women in the United States:
African-American women: 1 in 48
Latina women: 1 in 227
White women: 1 in 880
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Every 9 1/2 minutes someone is infected with HIV in the United States.
Should I Get an HIV Test?
The following are behaviors that increase your chances of getting HIV.
If you answer yes to any of them, you should definitely get an HIV test. If you continue with any of these behaviors, you should be tested every year. Talk to a health care provider about an HIV testing schedule that is right for you.
Have you had unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex with men who have sex with men, multiple partners, or anonymous partners?
Have you exchanged sex for drugs or money?
Have you been diagnosed with or treated for hepatitis, tuberculosis (TB), or a sexually transmitted disease (STD), like syphilis?
Have you injected drugs or steroids or shared equipment (such as needles, syringes, works) with others?
Have you had unprotected sex with someone who could answer yes to any of the above questions?
If you have had sex with someone whose history of sex partners and/or drug use is unknown to you or if you or your partner has had many sex partners, then you have more of a chance of being infected with HIV.
Both you and your new partner should get tested for HIV, and learn the results, before having sex for the first time.
