Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS or Aids) is a collection of symptoms and infections resulting from the specific damage to the immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The late stage of the condition leaves individuals susceptible to opportunistic infections and tumors. Although treatments for AIDS and HIV exist to slow the progression of the virus, there is currently no known cure. HIV is transmitted through direct contact with blood or body fluids (such as semen, vaginal fluid, preseminal fluid, or breast milk) containing HIV. Transmission can come through anal, vaginal or oral sex, blood transfusion, contaminated hypodermic needles, exchange between mother and baby during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding, or other exposure to one of the above bodily fluids.
HIV is a fragile virus. It cannot live for very long outside the body. As a result, the virus is not transmitted through day-to-day activities such as shaking hands, hugging, or a casual kiss. You cannot become infected from a toilet seat, drinking fountain, doorknob, dishes, drinking glasses, food, or pets. You also cannot get HIV from mosquitoes.
HIV is primarily found in the blood, semen, or vaginal fluid of an infected person. HIV is transmitted in 3 main ways:
- Having sex (anal, vaginal, or oral) with someone infected with HIV
- Sharing needles and syringes with someone infected with HIV
- Exposure of a fetus or infant to HIV before or during birth or through breast feeding
HIV also can be transmitted through blood infected with HIV. However, since 1985, all donated blood in the United States has been tested for HIV. Therefore, the risk of HIV infection through the transfusion of blood or blood products is extremely low. The U.S. blood supply is considered among the safest in the world.
The only way to know whether you are infected is to be tested for HIV. You cannot rely on symptoms alone because many people who are infected with HIV do not have symptoms for many years. Someone can look and feel healthy but can still be infected with the virus. In fact, one quarter of the HIV-infected persons in the United States do not know that they are infected. For more information, visit the following links.
| Clinic Hours and Locations |
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Fulton County Department of Health and Wellness
HIV Primary Care Clinic
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By Appointment only (404) 730-1430
Monday and Tuesday
8:00 – 11:00 AM and 1:00-6:00 PM
Registration Closes between
11:00 AM -1:00 PM and at 3:00 PM
Wednesday thru Friday
8:00-11:00 AM and 1:00 - 3:30 PM
Registration Closes between
11:00 AM – 1:00 PM and at 3:00 PM
Closed Saturday and Sunday
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| What is Ryan White Program? |
The program is named for Ryan White, the Indiana teenager whose courageous struggle with HIV/AIDS and against AIDS-related discrimination helped educate the nation. He died in 1990, the same year that congress passed legislation titled the “Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency (CARE) Act.” This Federal legislation was amended and reauthorized in 1996 and again in 2000. Most recently, the legislation was reauthorized as the Ryan White HIV/ AIDS Treatment Modernization Act of 2006.
The Ryan White HIV/ AIDS Treatment Modernization Act addresses the unmet health needs of persons living with HIV disease (PLWH) by funding primary health care and support services that enhance access to and retention in care. This funding makes appropriate care and treatment possible for low-income, uninsured and under-insured men, women, children and youth with no other way to meet their medical care and support needs.
Ryan White program funds are administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), HIV/AIDS Bureau that awards hundreds of grants to states, cities and communities who deliver care to more than half a million low-income million people with HIV/AIDS in the U.S. each year.
- An estimated 1,039,000 to1, 185,000 individuals in the U.S. are living with HIV.
- An estimated 531,000 unduplicated persons each year receive at least one medical, health, or related support service from a Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program provider.
| The Goals of The Ryan White Program |
With the right care and treatment, people infected with HIV can live long and productive lives. The Ryan White Program prioritizes lifesaving services for individuals living with HIV/AIDS, including HIV/AIDS medications and primary care, and targets resources to areas that have the greatest needs
- Improvement of quality of life
- Reduction of HIV-related morbidity and mortality
- Restoration and/or preservation of immunologic function and reduce disability
- Maximal and durable suppression of viral load
- Assist in self-management and increase productivity through education and behavior change
In order to become a patient in our clinic, an individual must meet the Ryan White eligibility criteria. At the time of initial appointment, the following documents are required to qualify for services:
- Proof of HIV status,
- Proof of income
- Proof of Residency within the following counties: Barrow, Bartow, Carroll, Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, Newton, Paulding, Pickens, Rockdale, Spalding, and Walton
- Photo identification
Fees are charged on a sliding scale basis depending on your current annual income and health insurance status. To make an appointment or to learn more about our clinic services, please call 404-730-1430.
Fulton County Department of Health and Wellness (FCDHW) is the largest testing site in the state of Georgia. Over 700 people each year learn that they have been infected with HIV in our clinic. Our clients are introduced to the HIV Clinic physicians on the same day they may learn their HIV positive status. Enrollment in the HIV Clinic offers an individual a full service outpatient clinic with a TEAM approach to educate and support the patient and families living with HIV.
The FCDHW HIV Primary Care Clinic is a Ryan White funded program that provides a range of services.
Medical Services
- Complete Physical Assessment
- Lab Work for HIV Care and Disease Stages
- Screening and treatment for STD, TB and other diseases
- Hepatitis B and C Screening, PAP Smears and X-rays
- Staging of Disease and Screening for Opportunistic Infection
- Prophylactic Treatment for Opportunistic infections
- Vaccines for Pneumococcus, Hepatitis A & B and Influenza and now HPV
- Antiretroviral and Primary Care Medications Dispensed On-site
- Referrals to appropriate Providers and co-management of diseases
- Assistance to build immune system and nutritional status
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services
We provide a range of mental and emotional wellness services tailored to meet the needs of our clients. Our therapists are trained to assist with:
- Addiction and Recovery
- Coping with long-term illness
- Support for Grief, Trauma and Depression
- Early Childhood Issues
- Crisis Intervention for Patients Needing Emergency Consultations
- Medication for Stress and Anxiety
- Referrals for inpatient services
Dental Services
We offer basic dental services to all clients who are HIV positive. Dental Health is as important as the medication that you take. Some of our services include:
- Fillings
- Cleaning
- Extractions
- Scaling
Case Management
The Case Mangers, in our HIV Clinic, are highly skilled in assisting clients to improve their living conditions. They also assist clients with obtaining public benefits such as housing, food vouchers and emergency assistance. The Case Managers offer other resources necessary to meet the basic needs of living in our communities.
Health Education
The Health Educators provide one on one information to patients and their families about HIV infection emphasizing:
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Nutrition and HIV
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Risk Reduction
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HIV Education
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Substance Abuse
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Adherence to Therapy
Understanding the importance of T-cell counts, viral load, partner notification and supporting the immune system are discussed among other topics. Referrals are made for other services within the Department of Health and Wellness as well as in the community.
From the North: From I-75 and I-85 go south toward Atlanta. Take axit 248A for Martin Luther King Jr. Drive toward state Capitol. Stay on the right lane and turn right at Jesse Hill Jr. Drive. Go about 0.2 mile. Aldredge Health Center is at the corner of Jesse Hill Jr Drive and Gilmer Street, accross from the Grady Memorial Hospital.
From The South: From I-75 and I-85 go north toward Atlanta. Take axit 248A for Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. Turn left toward state Capitol. Stay on the right lane and turn right at Jesse Hill Jr. Drive. Go about 0.2 mile. Aldredge Health Center is at the corner of Jesse Hill Jr Drive and Gilmer Street, accross from the Grady Memorial Hospital.
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