HIV is still on the rise in the south and one out of every 200 Houstonians is living with HIV. Prevention and treatment can help end the spread of HIV, and it starts with knowing your HIV status. Testing is the only way to know if you have HIV.

Legacy offers FREE, FAST and CONFIDENTIAL HIV testing at convenient locations across Greater Houston and Beaumont, many with walk-in options. And no matter what your test results are, Legacy is here to help you protect your health with affordable prevention and treatment options.

Pre-exposure prophylaxis, known as PrEP, is a once-daily pill that significantly reduces your risk of acquiring HIV. Legacy offers same-day PrEP appointments to help provide the protection you need in one convenient visit!

Simply walk into one of our clinics offering Same-Day PrEP, no appointment needed. You’ll meet with one of our expert health care providers who can help you decide if PrEP is right for you and quickly get started. The visit will also include lab testing. PrEP is available at low or no cost to most individuals. Our eligibility specialists are available to assess your financial situation and find assistance programs available to you. PrEP can be available the same day or next depending upon the location and timing of the visit.

Once you’ve started PrEP, you’ll be referred to our Pharmacy PrEP program which makes it easy to continue PrEP by coordinating lab testing, refills and follow-up visits in one convenient appointment with a Pharmacist.

Stop by one of the clinics listed below Monday through Saturday, call (713) 814 3300 to learn more, or click here to request a callback.

PEP, or post-exposure prophylaxis, is a medical intervention designed to prevent HIV infection after exposure to the virus. Prophylaxis for HIV is only available with a prescription.

PEP is strongly recommended for anyone who has had unprotected receptive vaginal or anal intercourse or who has shared an IV needle with an HIV-infected partner or with a partner whose HIV status is unknown. PEP is rarely recommended for the insertive (“top”) partner or for oral sex. PEP is usually taken twice a day for 28 days, and includes laboratory tests and follow-up visits at 2 weeks, 4-6 weeks, 12 weeks, and 24 weeks post-exposure. The use of condoms is recommended until the final follow-up visit (six months post-exposure). PEP is not guaranteed to work and you could put your partner(s) at risk of contracting HIV. PEP is not a substitute for safer sex.

For more information on PEP, call (713) 814 3300

Now Available! DoxyPEP to Prevent Bacterial STIs after Potential Exposure

DoxyPEP, or Doxycycline Post-Exposure Prophylaxis, is an antibiotic treatment of 200 mg doxycycline that may help protect you from sexually transmitted infections (STIs) like chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis after unprotected sex, reducing your risk by about 66%. It may be a good option if you’ve had one or more STIs in the last 12 months. DoxyPEP is taken within 24, but no more than 72 hours after exposure.

DoxyPEP only works on bacteria and doesn’t protect against viral infections such as Hep C, HIV, Monkeypox, and others. It’s important to get tested for STIs every 3 months and whenever you have symptoms. Having an active STI can make you more susceptible to HIV. And if you are living with HIV, continue to take your medications and see your provider regularly.

For more information on DoxyPEP, call (832) 613-4077, or visit Legacy Gulfton Dashwood, Legacy Montrose, or Wellness Bar by Legacy.

Legacy’s trusted health care professionals are here to help patients living with HIV start and stay on treatment—and live longer and healthier lives. Our team includes physicians, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, social workers, prevention counselors and patient educators, each of whom is an expert in their specialty. Our comprehensive services include primary health care, case management, educational workshops, eye care, financial assistance, medication adherence counseling and wellness services.

Treatment also lowers the amount of virus in an individual’s system which helps prevent the spread of HIV to others.

Wellness Bar by Legacy is now offering Trogarzo, an infusion medication for the treatment of HIV. Trogarzo may help to treat HIV in patients who have grown resistant to other HIV management medications. Wellness Bar is the first Legacy Community Health location to offer Trogarzo in-clinic.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call (713) 814 3730.