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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

Happy Hispanic Heritage Month!

Hispanic Heritage Month, celebrated from September 15th – October 15th each year, honors the historic and cultural contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities. Their nationwide impact spans generations, and encompasses a wide variety of cultural festivals, brilliant artwork, traditional and ethnic foods, and prominent activism. This advocacy work includes recognizing and addressing health disparities within Hispanic and Latino communities, which are disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS.

Since 2010, overall HIV incidence rates in the United States have decreased by 6%, while HIV incidence among Hispanic and Latino populations has increased by 14% (National Library of Medicine, 2019). This data trend continues to spike, with Hispanic and Latinos accounting for 27% of the 37,968 new HIV diagnoses in the United States since 2018. Additionally, Hispanic and Latino communities are less likely than Whites to be linked and retained in care, receive treatment, and obtain and maintain viral suppression (CDC, 2024).

Recognizing and addressing these health disparities is an essential step in ending the HIV/AIDS epidemic, and we must continue to cultivate awareness and advocate for these communities.

 

Mark your calendars with the upcoming HIV/AIDS Awareness Days this month!

  • September 18th – National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day
  • September 27th – National Gay Men’s HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

 

Sources:

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6893335/#bib1

https://www.cdc.gov/health-disparities-hiv-std-tb-hepatitis/populations/hispanic-latino.html

 

News

Biomedical prevention and treatment options are changing the way we fight (and end) this epidemic. The newest option, Lenacapavir, can provide someone without HIV up to 6 months of uninterrupted HIV protection! Learn more about the FDA approval from The Buckeye Flame.

Read more here

Events

August 9th – Back to School Bash – Euclid Schools – 12 PM-3 PM

August 16th – Community Health Block Fair – Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church – 11 AM-4 PM

August 18th – Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Anniversary (1990) 

August 20th – Produce to People – AIDS Taskforce of Greater Cleveland – 10 AM-4 PM

August 20th – Southern HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

August 21st – Blood Drive – LGBT Community Center of Greater Cleveland – 12 PM-6 PM

August 22nd – Success Fair – Huntington Convention Center – 10 AM-3 PM

August 26th – CCBH EHE CAG Prevention Subcommittee Meeting – Cuyahoga County Public Libraries – Maple Hts. Branch – 3 PM-5 PM

August 27th – National Faith HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

August 27th – Slavic Village Health, Wellness, & Employment Fair – Community Assessment & Treatment Center – 11 AM-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

Happy Hispanic Heritage Month!

Hispanic Heritage Month, celebrated from September 15th – October 15th each year, honors the historic and cultural contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities. Their nationwide impact spans generations, and encompasses a wide variety of cultural festivals, brilliant artwork, traditional and ethnic foods, and prominent activism. This advocacy work includes recognizing and addressing health disparities within Hispanic and Latino communities, which are disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS.

Since 2010, overall HIV incidence rates in the United States have decreased by 6%, while HIV incidence among Hispanic and Latino populations has increased by 14% (National Library of Medicine, 2019). This data trend continues to spike, with Hispanic and Latinos accounting for 27% of the 37,968 new HIV diagnoses in the United States since 2018. Additionally, Hispanic and Latino communities are less likely than Whites to be linked and retained in care, receive treatment, and obtain and maintain viral suppression (CDC, 2024).

Recognizing and addressing these health disparities is an essential step in ending the HIV/AIDS epidemic, and we must continue to cultivate awareness and advocate for these communities.

 

Mark your calendars with the upcoming HIV/AIDS Awareness Days this month!

  • September 18th – National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day
  • September 27th – National Gay Men’s HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

 

Sources:

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6893335/#bib1

https://www.cdc.gov/health-disparities-hiv-std-tb-hepatitis/populations/hispanic-latino.html

 

News

Biomedical prevention and treatment options are changing the way we fight (and end) this epidemic. The newest option, Lenacapavir, can provide someone without HIV up to 6 months of uninterrupted HIV protection! Learn more about the FDA approval from The Buckeye Flame.

Read more here

Events

August 9th – Back to School Bash – Euclid Schools – 12 PM-3 PM

August 16th – Community Health Block Fair – Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church – 11 AM-4 PM

August 18th – Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Anniversary (1990) 

August 20th – Produce to People – AIDS Taskforce of Greater Cleveland – 10 AM-4 PM

August 20th – Southern HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

August 21st – Blood Drive – LGBT Community Center of Greater Cleveland – 12 PM-6 PM

August 22nd – Success Fair – Huntington Convention Center – 10 AM-3 PM

August 26th – CCBH EHE CAG Prevention Subcommittee Meeting – Cuyahoga County Public Libraries – Maple Hts. Branch – 3 PM-5 PM

August 27th – National Faith HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

August 27th – Slavic Village Health, Wellness, & Employment Fair – Community Assessment & Treatment Center – 11 AM-3 PM

End HIV Crimilization
Mpox