Two students embrace

Sexual Health Resources

Testing Sites

NC State GLBT Center

The NC State GLBT Center (Talley Student Union, Suite 5230) has suspended in-center testing for Fall 2020 and suggests students visit Student Health Services.

Student Health Services

Student Health Services offers confidential HIV and STI testing by appointment during normal business hours. This service is not free. Your provider will discuss the cost of each test, but you should also check with your health insurance carrier to determine your out-of-pocket costs. If you request, SHS will not charge the cost of the test(s) to your insurance, but you will have to pay for the entire cost of the test(s) out-of-pocket.

Wake County Human Services

Wake County Human Services offers free testing with an STI counselor at Student Health Services the first and third Thursdays each month in the afternoon. There will be no testing during breaks. Appointments may only be scheduled beginning on the Monday of each week that testing is available. To make an appointment for HIV or other STI testing, call 919.515.2563 and select option 2. The appointment coordinator can discuss testing options with you. Additional HIV/STI testing sites can also be found here.

LGBT Center of Raleigh

Wake County Human Services offers free testing at the LGBT Center of Raleigh (324 S. Harrington St.) every Monday and Thursday from 6pm-7:45pm. If you are unable to come during this time, please contact WCHS at 919-250-2262 to coordinate another time. Due to COVID-19, please check with the LGBT Center of Raleigh before visiting their office.

Planned Parenthood

Planned Parenthood (100 S. Boylan Ave.) offers STI testing by appointment Monday through Saturday, including some evenings, and accepts most insurance plans including Medicaid. This services is not free. Planned Parenthood will be able to tell you the cost of each test, but you should also check with your health insurance carrier to determine your out-of-pocket costs. If you request, Planned Parenthood will not charge the cost of the test(s) to your insurance, but you will have to pay for the entire cost of the test(s) out-of-pocket.

Information about PrEP

What is PrEP?

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (or PrEP) is when people at very high risk for HIV take HIV medicines daily to lower their chances of getting infected. A combination of two HIV medicines (tenofovir and emtricitabine), sold under the name Truvada® (pronounced tru vá duh), is approved for daily use as PrEP to help prevent an HIV-negative person from getting HIV from a sexual or injection-drug-using partner who’s positive. Studies have shown that PrEP is highly effective for preventing HIV if it is used as prescribed. PrEP is much less effective when it is not taken consistently. Additional information about PrEP can be found here.

Who should take PrEP?

  • PrEP is recommended as one prevention option for sexually-active adult MSM (men who have sex with men) at substantial risk of HIV acquisition.
  • PrEP is recommended as one prevention option for adult heterosexually active men and women who are at substantial risk of HIV acquisition.
  • PrEP is recommended as one prevention option for adult injection drug users (IDU) at substantial risk of HIV acquisition.
  • PrEP should be discussed with heterosexually-active women and men whose partners are known to have HIV infection (HIV-discordant couples) as one of several options to protect the uninfected partner during conception and pregnancy so that an informed decision can be made in awareness of what is known and unknown about benefits and risks of PrEP for mother and fetus.

Does my student health plan cover PrEP?

Students enrolled in Student Blue through Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina can obtain Truvada as a Tier 2 Specialty Drug for a $50/month co-pay under the 2014-2015 plan. Students enrolled in UnitedHealthcare can obtain Truvada as a Tier 2 (mid-cost) drug from a designated specialty pharmacy following prior authorization from the provider. Students enrolled in Aetna can obtain Truvada following pre-certification. The pre-certification criteria for PrEP are as follows:

  • A documented diagnosis of initiating therapy for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to reduce the risk of sexually acquired HIV-1 in adults at high risk AND documentation of all of the following:
    • A negative HIV antibody test taken: Immediately before starting Truvada for PrEP AND every 3 months thereafter while on therapy.
    • Confirmation that creatinine clearance value >/=60 mL/min before initiating Truvada for PrEP AND serum creatinine and calculate creatinine clearance checks performed at 3 months after initiation and then every 6 months thereafter.

    Students who have other insurance policies should contact their insurance company to obtain criteria and an estimated cost.

Can I get PrEP at the Student Health Center?

Yes! You can get a prescription for PrEP at Student Health Services. You will need preliminary screening lab work, and once you start Truvada you will need to have ongoing regular visits to monitor your health. You can schedule an appointment online at HealthyPackPortal or by calling 919-515-2563.However, the Student Health Pharmacy does not stock Truvada. We have found that the fastest way to fill your prescription is to use the Walgreen’s on New Bern and New Hope Road (919-231-6419). They keep Truvada in stock, so you can pick it up yourself or you can have your prescription called in by one of the providers at Student health to set up shipping for Truvada to be mailed to you.

Additionally, Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy can provide the following services. Walgreens Specialty pharmacy can be reached by phone at 1-800-424-9002, or by fax at 1-800-874-9179.

  • Fill the prescription and ship to the student’s residence via FedEx second-day air
  • Set up e-mail, phone, and/or text updates to notify the student 10 days and 5 days prior to a prescription refill being due
  • Set up automatic monthly bill pay so that students can receive an uninterrupted supply of medication.

Supplies

The GLBT Center provides the following supplies for free:

  • Lube
  • Dental Dams
  • Female Condoms
  • Non-Latex Gloves
  • Informational Brochures
  • Latex and Non-Latex Condoms