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The MWHC Wellness Program | Ryan White Grant serves our community to help those living with HIV and AIDS to navigate healthcare, understand medications, and assist in finding financial and emotional support options.
Wellness Program clients who are interested in understanding what assistance is available for them can come to the program office. Our staff will assist clients in understanding eligibility requirements, general conditions and restrictions.
For more information, contact us at 540.374.3279 or email Wellness.Program@mwhc.com. The Wellness Program office is located on the Mary Washington Hospital campus in the Tompkins-Martin Medical Plaza, 1101 Sam Perry Blvd., Suite 318, Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401. Transportation to this location is available on the local Fred Bus.
OraQuick® is the first FDA-approved oral swab in-home test for HIV-1 and HIV-2. It's an oral swab test that doesn't require blood. It's completely private. And it's based on the same HIV test that healthcare professionals have used since 2004.
With the OraQuick In-Home HIV Test, you can take the first step toward learning your HIV status. Find out in just 20 minutes in the comfort and privacy of your own home. The results are completely confidential.
OraQuick is from OraSure Technologies, a company with a long and trusted history of leadership and innovation in HIV testing. For years, it has been the company healthcare professionals have used for HIV tests.
For more information, visit oraquick.com.
If you would like to receive a FREE kit, you can go to this link to request one be sent to you from our partners at the Virginia Department of Health: https://redcap.vdh.virginia.gov/redcap/surveys/?s=77W7DKHHKJ.
As a reminder, we continue to offer free in-office HIV testing at 1101 Sam Perry Blvd, Suite 318; Fredericksburg, VA 22401. Please contact our office if you are interested in a test in-office or have trouble completing the form at the above link.
The MWHC Wellness Program team will help guide you through strategies to reduce the risk of contracting HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. The team is open minded and will allow you to ask any question you have regarding sexual practices.
If you would like to start Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis call the office at 540.374.3279. Our team will connect you with a caring physician to manage your health care and medications. The program has options to help with the cost of medical visits, labs and medications.
If you are in need of condoms or lube and can't visit our Wellness Program office, please fill out this form and our team will mail them to you.
When used properly, condoms are highly effective in preventing HIV and other Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). Part of effective use includes using a non-oil based lubricant to reduce breakage.
CDC Resource: Proper Condom Use
The MW Wellness Program team will help guide you through strategies to reduce the risk of contracting HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. The team is open minded and will allow you to ask any question you have regarding sexual practices.
If you would like to start Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, call our office at 540.374.3279. Our team will connect you with a caring physician to manage your health care and medications. The program has options to help with the cost of medical visits, labs and medications.
Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) is a medication you can take to reduce the risk of contraction after a possible exposure. Call as soon as possible to talk with our team. The medication must be started within 72 hours of an unprotected sexual experience. Let us help you with your concern. 540.374.3279.
If you are in need of an educator or speaker for your group meeting, please use this form to request a speaker.
You may be at increased risk for contracting STIs if you:
If you are sexually active and worried that you may have contracted a Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI), contact one of our Medical Case Managers today at 540.374.3279.
We are here to help.
If you are not sure about your HIV and other medications, we can help you
sort out what is current and needed. We can also help you optimize timing
and administration of the medications for the best absorption.
Our goal is to help all clients reach an undetectable level. Give us a call to meet with one of our medical case managers today 540.374.3279.
U=U means Undetectable=Untransmittable.
The MWHC Wellness Program team will help guide you through strategies to reduce the risk of contracting HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. The team is open minded and will allow you to ask any question you have regarding sexual practices.
If you would like to start Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, call the office at 540.374.3279. Our team will connect you with a caring physician to manage your health care and medications. The program has options to help with the cost of medical visits, labs, and medications.
The Virginia AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) provides access to life-saving medications for the treatment of HIV and related illnesses for low-income clients through the provision of medications or through assistance with insurance premiums and medication co-payments.
The program is primarily supported with federal Ryan White (RW) Treatment Extension Act Part B grant funding, which is distributed by a formula based on living HIV and AIDS cases to all states and territories in the United States.
We also have a way to help you dispose of the old and unwanted medications, just give us a call at 540.374.3279.
Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)
The MWHC Wellness Program team will help guide you through strategies to reduce the risk of contracting HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. The team is open minded and will allow you to ask any question you have regarding sexual practices.
If you would like to start Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, call the office at 540.374.3279. Our team will connect you with a caring physician to manage your health care and medications. The program has options to help with the cost of medical visits, labs, and medications.
Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP)
Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) is a medication you can take to reduce the risk of contraction after a possible exposure. Call as soon as possible to talk with our team. The medication must be started within 72 hours of an unprotected sexual experience. Let us help you with your concern. 540.374.3279.
While sleep is important for anyone, the American Psychological Association (APA) emphasizes that sleep is a particularly important factor among Americans living with HIV. The APA found 30-40% of HIV-positive adults report some difficulty with sleep, ranging from occasional difficulties falling asleep, to interrupted sleep patterns, to waking up after only a few hours of sleep, to insomnia.
Considering the challenges of the past year, the answer is likely a resounding “NO!” Sleep is such an important part of our lives, that the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) began to study the self-reported sleep patterns of American adults a few years ago. The CDC found that one-third of American adults report getting less than the recommended seven hours of sleep per night.
The National Sleep Foundation (NSF) also found that most Americans report feeling sleepy during daylight hours, an average of three times per week. According to the NSF 55% of American adults report they do not sleep well at night, while 44% report not getting enough sleep.
We all know that a good night’s sleep makes us feel better, and most of us have experienced changes in mood, irritability, or confusion, when we are unable to sleep. Sleep disturbances, and sleep disorders also impact our overall health, however, and are linked to:
Potential Causes of Sleep Disturbances Among Persons Living With HIV
Easier said than done, most of us would say, but the CDC and sleep experts recommend the following for a better night’s sleep:
Medical case managers are available to assist with sleep strategies and connect you with a specialist if needed. Call our office at 540.374.3279 to speak to someone.
Coming out to your healthcare provider is an important step to living a healthy life. LGBTQ+ people face unique health risks, such as higher smoking rates, greater risk of suicide attempts, and a higher chance of getting certain sexually transmitted diseases. Talking with your provider can help you assess your risk, access the care you need, and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
LGTBQ+ people can sometimes experience stereotyping, harassment, bullying, and prejudice. This kind of discrimination can be stressful, which can increase your risk of depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and suicide. Being open about your sexual orientation and gender identity allows your provider to give you the best possible care.
An exercise routine and healthy diet are important for everyone. Research has shown that LGBTQ+ people are at a higher risk of smoking, obesity, and poor body image. By being open with your healthcare provider, they can advise you on healthy diets, smoking cessation, and exercise routines.
Lesbians, bisexual women, and some transgender people should get routine gynecologic screenings, including Pap smears, and routine breast cancer screenings.
No matter your sexual orientation, talking to your provider about your sexual health isn’t easy. Each person’s needs will differ, but some of the most important sexual health topics to discuss are:
All LGBTQ+ people should feel comfortable talking to their provider about feeling safe at home, partner abuse, and advance care planning.
I don’t want anyone besides my healthcare provider to know my sexual orientation. Will this information remain private?
Your healthcare provider is required by law to keep your information private. If you are under 18, these laws will vary by state and policies may vary by medical practice. You can also ask your provider not to enter this information into your medical record.
What if my provider uses the wrong terms or pronouns when referring to me or my partner/spouse?
Your healthcare provider may not always know what pronouns you prefer to use. Let them know how you describe yourself and your partner, and they should start to use those words.
What if I still don’t feel comfortable coming out to my provider?
The first step is finding a healthcare provider you connect with. You can talk to friends or use the resources listed here. Finding a provider you are comfortable with is key to your well-being and health.
LGBTQ+ Healthcare Resources
There are many resources available for LGBTQ+ patients seeking medical care and advice.
What to know about COVID-19 and HIV (CDC resources)
Please contact our office to get your flu shot today! 540.374.3279.
Why is Getting the Flu Shot So Important? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDEmGUqT8U0
Mary Washington Wellness Program is committed to supporting biomedical research that advances the understanding and treatment of HIV/AIDS. We will provide opportunities for clients to participate in biomedical research studies, ensuring that all participation is voluntary, ethical, and in compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
For those who are HIV positive and interested in information about clinical trial participation, these links may be helpful:
These links may help identify HIV-related clinical trials:
NIH maintains ClinicalTrials.gov, a database of publicly and privately funded clinical trials. To identify relevant trials, enter “HIV” in the Condition/Disease field and select “Recruiting and not yet recruiting” under Study Status. You also may contact health information specialists at HIV info by calling 1.800.442.0440 from 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, or by emailing HIVinfo@NIH.gov for assistance with your clinical trials search.
Staying well and protecting yourself from COVID-19.
People who live with HIV should always protect themselves against viruses and infections.
If you feel unwell, take your temperature every couple of hours. Call our office at 540.374.3279 if your temperature elevates or call the MWHC Nurse Advice Line at 540.741.1000 (available 7 days a week 7:00 a.m.–midnight).