This website contains HIV prevention messages that may not be appropriate for all audiences. Because HIV infection is
spread primarily through sexual behaviors or by injection drug use, prevention messages and programs address these
topics. If you are not seeking such information or may be offended by such materials, please exit this website.
Snohomish Health District staff provides programming in the area of HIV prevention. More specific information about our services
and programming follows. HIV/AIDS case management services for people living with HIV/AIDS are provided on contract by Lifelong
AIDS Alliance in their Everett office at (425) 493-5010 or toll-free (866) 576-8362 (also-see link below).
HIV education and prevention programs
The HIV Education & Prevention Program provides a variety of targeted HIV prevention interventions including:
Condoms and Lubricants
Male and female condoms and lubricant are available at no charge in the HIV/AIDS program office in Suite 208 of Snohomish Health District's
downtown Everett location. Please do not hesitate to ask for printed instructions or a demonstration of the correct way to use a condom.
The following information regarding the effectiveness of male, latex condoms is from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
http://www.cdc.gov/nchstp/od/condoms.pdf
Latex condoms, when used consistently and correctly, are highly effective in preventing transmission of HIV, the virus that
causes AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including discharge and genital ulcer diseases. In order to achieve the
protective effect of condoms, they must be used correctly and consistently. Incorrect use can lead to condom slippage or breakage,
thus diminishing their protective effect. Inconsistent use, e.g., failure to use condoms with every act of intercourse, can lead to
HIV and STD transmission because transmission can occur with a single act of intercourse.
It should be noted that condom use cannot provide absolute protection against HIV. The surest way to avoid transmission of HIV is to
abstain from sexual intercourse or to be in a long-term mutually monogamous relationship with a partner who has been tested and you
know is uninfected.
Counseling, Testing and Referral: HIV
Snohomish Health District offers confidential or anonymous HIV antibody testing by appointment only at the downtown Everett
location. Please call (425) 339-5298 to schedule an appointment. The fee for HIV antibody testing is $43.00 (this fee may be
waived in some circumstances, please call for more information.) Standard testing is accomplished by obtaining a small
blood sample. Test results for standard HIV testing are available in 7-10 business days.
Individuals considered to be at highest risk of acquiring HIV are eligible for the Rapid HIV Antibody test.
Rapid testing is only offered on Tuesdays from 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (by appointment) and
on a first-come, first-served basis from 5:00-7:30 p.m. Rapid test results are available in approximately 20 minutes.
Please call (425) 339-5298 to see if you qualify for rapid testing and to confirm available test days and times.
High risk individuals who are unable to attend Tuesday's Rapid Testing appointments are also eligible for testing that only requires a
cheek sample; results are generally available in 7-10 business days.
Healthy Relationships
Healthy Relationships is a support group for people living with HIV/AIDS. Group participants discuss many issues such
as: disclosure of their HIV status to family, friends, and sex partners; and how to cope with social stigma. Group
participants also work to learn new ways to cope with different life stressors often associated with being HIV+.
Groups are based on sexual orientation. Please contact Jessica Burt at (425) 339-8692 or
jburt@shd.snohomish.wa.gov for more information
and to learn which group is best suited to meet your needs.
Injection drug users
HIV antibody testing is available at the Snohomish Health District downtown Everett location Monday through
Friday. Please call (425) 339-5298 to schedule an appointment. Rapid HIV testing (results in about 20 minutes) is
available on Tuesdays from 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (by appointment) and during walk-in clinic hours from 5:00-7:30 p.m.
HIV testing is also available on Thursdays from 5:00-8:30 p.m. at Pacific Treatment Alternatives located
at 1114 Pacific Avenue, 2nd floor, Everett.
Hepatitis testing is available for injection drug users ONLY through the Viral Hepatitis Outreach Project.
Call Kathy Perkins at (425) 339-8620 for more information.
For the Snohomish County Clean Needle Exchange, please call either (425) 514-9306 or (425) 514-9316.
Men who have sex with men (MSM)
For additional information about any of the following outreach programs please contact David Bayless at (425) 339-5238
or via email at gayinfo@shd.snohomish.wa.gov.
Q3 Mpowerment Project: Young gay & bisexual men's group for ages 18-29. Working together with SHD staff, this peer-based
program organizes and implements social gatherings, and informal and formal outreach events. The primary purpose is for young
gay and bisexual men to meet each other in a social and safe environment. Currently meets twice per month on Friday evenings.
Bar Outreach: SHD staff work with owners of local alternative-lifestyle bars to provide free condom and lubricant
distribution as well as anonymous or confidential HIV antibody testing at no charge to members of the community who qualify.
Internet Outreach SHD HIV health education staff regularly visit Internet chat rooms frequented by men who have sex with men.
They participate in conversations about safer sex behavior, reducing HIV transmission and acquisition risk, and SHD's HIV 'no charge'
antibody testing program.
Gay Men’s Task Force: a community based program to plan, develop and implement HIV prevention and support
for gay/bisexual men. Meets 1st Tuesday of each month.
Persons of color
Staff participate in Health Fairs and other events providing opportunities for outreach to communities of color in
Snohomish County. Please call (425) 339-5251 for more information.
Positive Options
Positive Options is an empowerment program to address sexual health. By offering one-on-one sessions tailored to meet
the needs of individuals who are either HIV-positive or HIV-negative, Positive Options helps individuals explore ways
to be sexual without becoming infected or infecting others with HIV/STDs. For more information please contact Brenda Newell
at (425) 339-5251 or via email at bnewell@shd.snohomish.wa.gov
Training: HIV counselor, tester, employment classes
Beginning January 2007 Snohomish Health District will no longer offer the 2- or 3-day Washington State HIV Prevention Counseling Workshop series.
Individuals working for agencies that receive federal funding to provide HIV counseling, testing or partner notification services;
work for an agency that sends HIV tests to the Washington State Laboratory; and/or work for an agency that serves significant
numbers of individuals at high risk for HIV infection are encouraged to obtain training schedule information from:
Diane Ferrero (206) 296-4649 diane.ferrero@metrokc.gov at Seattle King County Public Health for information about the
WA State HIV Prevention Counseling Workshops being provided in King County;
If you need a 2, 4, or 7-hour training for employment but will not be performing HIV counseling & testing or partner
notification services please call one of the following agencies to inquire about their class schedule and availability:
American Red Cross - Downtown Everett Location (425) 252-4103 x26
Edmonds Community College (425) 640-1840
Positive Women's Network (425) 259-9899 ext 16
Women
SHD staff provide on-going education and outreach to women at risk for HIV at the County Jail (Choices Project), homeless
shelter and Center for Battered Women (CBW). We work collaboratively with other selected community sites such as DSHS
offices. On-going education to selected service providers is also provided. Contact Jessica Burt at (425) 339-8692 for
more information.
Workshops & Special Events
SHD is only able to provide education and training to a limited number of community service providers and drug treatment programs.
If you are interested in having a staff member from the HIV Prevention Program come to your organization please contact Brenda Newell,
Program Manager at bnewell@shd.snohomish.wa.gov to learn if such a
training is appropriate to be arranged. We partner with other community organizations for annual events as such National HIV Testing Day,
World AIDS Day, health fairs and other educational events.
HIV/AIDS Links
For more information about HIV/AIDS and related topics, try the following web sites:
