HIV & Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) Care for LGBTQ+ Patients

At UChicago Medicine, our doctors are experts in treating HIV and other kinds of sexually transmitted infections. UChicago Medicine is home to the Chicago Center for HIV Elimination (CCHE). CCHE works to stop the spread of HIV in South Side communities and in the suburbs south of Chicago that have a majority of Black residents.

The center also leads HIV research for at-risk groups such as young Black men who have sex with men (YBMSM).

Sexual Wellness Clinic

The Sexual Wellness Clinic at the Chicago Center for HIV Elimination provides overall sexual health services, including:

Health education
HIV prevention
- HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)
- HIV post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP)
HIV testing and treatment
Syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia and hepatitis C screening
Referrals to primary care services

Undetectable Equals Untransmittable (U=U)

Today’s HIV treatments have made it possible to lower the amount of HIV in the blood (viral load) to a level that is undetectable or not found by a test. If you have HIV and are able to keep your viral load at an undetectable level, there is effectively no risk that you can transmit or pass on HIV to other people during sex.

At UChicago Medicine, we can create a treatment plan to help you reach an undetectable viral load. For most people, that may happen as soon as six months after you start treatment. Our specialty pharmacists also can help you track your viral load over time to make sure that you stay undetectable.

HIV and Sexual Health Care for LGBTQ+ Teens

With the Care2Prevent (C2P) program at UChicago Medicine, young people can get free or low-cost HIV and sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing and basic medical care, including PrEP and PEP for the prevention of HIV.

The Care2Prevent program also has a team of caring therapists, case managers and sexual health specialists who provide social, emotional and spiritual support. We work with adolescents and young adults on Chicago’s South Side who are living with HIV or who are at risk for HIV. By working together, we can help you deal with a new HIV or STI diagnosis. We can also offer support if you are struggling with substance abuse or looking to heal from sexual trauma.

We also may be able to provide resources to help you get healthy food, no-cost transportation to appointments and help finding a job.