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Love Leads Here

No matter if you’re boo’d up, in a situationship, or flying solo, knowing your HIV status, staying informed about PrEP, and understanding U=U are game changers that can put an end to HIV for good.

Here’s the plan:

  • – Test Regularly: Loving yourself means checking up on your health.
  • – Explore PrEP (a medication that prevents HIV): PrEP is about taking charge and staying protected.
  • – Embrace U=U (HIV treatment): When you have HIV and are undetectable you can’t pass it on.

You hold the power to uplift your communities and keep everyone safe and supported.

Videos

We spoke to community members about what they’re doing to make our world a safer and healthier place. We think you will be informed and inspired by their stories. Check it out!

Treatment
Testing
Syphilis
Stigma
Love Leads Here
PrEP
Love Leads Here
Harm Reduction

Campaigns

Sexual health is important. That’s why we created a series of awareness campaigns about HIV testing, prevention and treatment, syphilis, Mpox, and stigma. Click on the images to learn more about each campaign.

News

Cuyahoga Community Corner

All treats, no tricks!

Spooky season may be upon us, but taking care of your sexual health shouldn’t scare you. Getting tested can be quick and easy. STI tests may require a blood sample, a urine sample, or a swab. It depends on the STI and the site of the infection.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all people with a cervix under the age of 25 get screened for chlamydia and gonorrhea once a year. The CDC also recommends that everyone aged 13-64 get tested for HIV at least once in their life. Depending on other risk factors, like who you have sex with and what kind of sex you have, it may be recommended you get tested more often. It’s best to discuss your options with a provider, and when in doubt – get tested!

Check out the resources tab for a list of reputable providers that offer testing services and choose the one that works best for you.

News

September 30th marked the second annual National Get Tested Day! Whether it’s through your provider or a home test kit from the pharmacy or health department, you have more options than ever before to get tested.

Learn more about the How, When, Where, and Why of STI testing from The American Sexual Health Association.

Read more here

Events

October 9th – Richmond Heights Local Schools Community Resource Fair – 6 PM – 8 PM

October 15th – National Latinx AIDS Awareness Day

October 21st – Addison Library Outreach – 1 PM – 3 PM

FAQs

Testing

Testing is the first step in both preventing and treating sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

Why is testing for HIV so important?

Knowing your HIV status is essential for protecting yourself, your partners, and your community. It plays a crucial role in stopping the spread of HIV.

Is testing free?

There are testing options that are free or covered by health insurance. Ask your doctor or a community-based agency listed below. You can also request a free HIV home test by mail or purchase one at the drugstore.

How often should I get tested for HIV?

Everyone aged 13 to 64 should get tested at least once.
Individuals with specific risk factors should test annually, and those who engage in unprotected sex should get tested more often.

What should I do if I test positive for HIV?

Go to a healthcare provider. Treatments are available that can suppress the virus and maintain your health.

PrEP

What is PrEP?

PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) is a medicine that provides up to 99% protection from HIV. These antiviral drugs are called Truvada and Descovy (pills) and Apretude (injection).

Can anyone take PrEP?

PrEP is for HIV negative people at risk for HIV through sex or intravenous drug use.
Ask your health care provider if PrEP is right for you.

Is PrEP safe?

PrEP is a safe and highly effective HIV prevention option. Some people get headaches or nausea which may last a few days or weeks.

How can I afford PrEP, and where can I get it?

PrEP is covered by Medicaid and most private insurance plans. If you don’t have health insurance look for other special PrEP assistance programs that may cover the cost.

Will PrEP protect me from other STIs?

No. PrEP only protects you from HIV. Using PrEP and condoms provides protection from HIV and most sexually transmitted infections.

How often do I need to take PrEP?

You take a PrEP pill once a day or get an injection every two months.

What is On Demand PrEP or 2-1-1 PrEP?

2-1-1 means taking 2 pills from 2-24 hours before sex, 1 pill 24 hours after the first two, and another pill 24 hours later. This way of using PrEP has only been proven for tops/penis insertive and bottoms/anal receptive. This may not work for a vaginal receptive partner.

How do I know if someone I’m hooking up with is using PrEP?

Talking with your partners honestly is the only way. Use PrEP and/or condoms and you will be protected.

U=U

What does U=U mean?

U=U stands for “Undetectable (viral load) equals Untransmittable.” If a person living with HIV takes their medication and becomes undetectable, there is no risk of transmitting the virus through sex.

How long does it take for HIV medication to make my viral load undetectable?

Most people will reach an undetectable viral load within 3 to 6 months. A person is considered undetectable when all viral load tests are undetectable for at least six months following the first undetectable result.

What happens if I miss a dose of my HIV medication?

Missing doses can lead to an increased viral load, compromising your health and raising the risk of HIV transmission. Consistent adherence to medication is crucial for maintaining an undetectable status.

How does U=U reduce HIV stigma?

U=U empowers people living with HIV by showing that with treatment, they can lead healthy lives without fear of transmitting the virus. This understanding encourages individuals to engage in treatment and fosters a more supportive environment.

How do I know if someone I’m hooking up with is undetectable?

The only way to know is if they tell you. That’s why you should use PrEP and/or condoms to protect yourself, until you are sure they really are undetectable.

Syphilis

What is syphilis?

Most sexually transmitted diseases are caused by a virus (HIV, herpes, HPV) or a bacterium (gonorrhea, chlamydia). Syphilis is a bacterial infection.

How is it spread?

Syphilis is spread during anal, vaginal or oral sex.
It can also be passed to babies during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding.

How can I protect myself?

The only way to be 100% safe is not to have sex. You can also make sure your partner has been tested for syphilis.
Condoms help reduce risk, but they do not stop all transmission.

What are the symptoms?

Syphilis develops in stages. The first stage is a sore on the genitals, rectum, or mouth. After the sore goes away you get a rash, usually on your hands and feet.
If you ignore these symptoms, syphilis stays in your body and starts to infect your brain, nerves, eyes and heart.

Can syphilis be treated and cured?

Yes! Syphilis is easy to get rid of. Antibiotics like penicillin will cure you from syphilis. If you have any symptoms, get tested. Some people may not notice the symptoms, so if you are having sex with multiple people, it’s a good idea to get tested every 3-6 months.

Stigma

Why do we need to end HIV stigma?

When people with a health issue are stigmatized, they feel they must hide this information. Driving people “underground” makes life harder for them and makes it more difficult to control the epidemic. Stigma makes people less likely to get tested and treated for HIV.

Why do we need to end PrEP stigma?

People who use PrEP to protect themselves from HIV are sometimes called promiscuous or slutty. This discourages people from using the medication, but the more people use PrEP the faster we can end the epidemic.

Info

Love Leads Here was designed by the Cuyahoga County Board of Health to help with sexual health issues. We’re raising awareness about HIV, and what you can do to protect yourself and your community. We’re also concerned with stigma and discrimination because they get in the way of having a healthy sex live.

If we love ourselves and each other, we can enjoy sex and protect our health. When you respect yourself and your sex partners, you will make sure everyone stays healthy.

It starts with knowing your HIV status. You also want to check for other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), especially syphilis and Mpox. That means testing on a regular basis. If you have something, get treated. If you test positive, get treated. There’s so many resources available to you!

PrEP is an HIV prevention drug. It comes as a pill you take every day or a shot you get every two months. PrEP keeps you HIV negative. Condoms can be just as effective. So, you can choose PrEP, condoms, or both. Most people feel that taking PrEP is easier and makes sex more pleasurable than using condoms.

Some people feel safer using PrEP and condoms. PrEP only prevents HIV. Condoms help prevent other STIs. Use this website to increase your knowledge and take care of your sexual health. If you need more information, use our resource links or talk to a healthcare provider. Be responsible. Be loving.

This material is developed by Cuyahoga County Board of Health and does not necessarily represent the views of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). This project is supported by a cooperative agreement from HRSA, HHS, under award number 2 UT8HA33929‐06‐00 (HRSA-25-063). The content is the responsibility of Cuyahoga County Board of Health and does not reflect the official policy or endorsement of HRSA or HHS. This work is funded either in whole or in part by a grant awarded by the Ohio Department of Health, Bureau HIV, STIs, & Viral Hepatitis, HIV Prevention, Ending the HIV Epidemic (EE) and as a sub-award of a grant issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) under the PS24-0047 cooperative agreement, grant award number [NU62PS924832], and CFDA number [93.940].

Cuyahoga Community Corner

All treats, no tricks!

Spooky season may be upon us, but taking care of your sexual health shouldn’t scare you. Getting tested can be quick and easy. STI tests may require a blood sample, a urine sample, or a swab. It depends on the STI and the site of the infection.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all people with a cervix under the age of 25 get screened for chlamydia and gonorrhea once a year. The CDC also recommends that everyone aged 13-64 get tested for HIV at least once in their life. Depending on other risk factors, like who you have sex with and what kind of sex you have, it may be recommended you get tested more often. It’s best to discuss your options with a provider, and when in doubt – get tested!

Check out the resources tab for a list of reputable providers that offer testing services and choose the one that works best for you.

News

September 30th marked the second annual National Get Tested Day! Whether it’s through your provider or a home test kit from the pharmacy or health department, you have more options than ever before to get tested.

Learn more about the How, When, Where, and Why of STI testing from The American Sexual Health Association.

Read more here

Events

October 9th – Richmond Heights Local Schools Community Resource Fair – 6 PM – 8 PM

October 15th – National Latinx AIDS Awareness Day

October 21st – Addison Library Outreach – 1 PM – 3 PM

End HIV Crimilization
Mpox