Articles

The HIV Services team at Tarzana Treatment Centers in Los Angeles produced an informative video that is meant to encourage individuals to be tested for HIV infection. Statistics are provided during the video that explain why it is important that people who may not even think they are at risk should be tested. HIV/AIDS treatment has come a long way over the past 20 years, but, left untreated, HIV can still lead to serious illness and death.

See the video here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIN_kOEw3wg

The statistics presented might make you think twice if you believe you are not at risk for HIV infection. When grouped together in a certain order, they tell a story:

* Over half of all new HIV infections in Los Angeles County are spread by people who have it and don’t know it.
* 69% of women living with AIDS in Los Angeles County got HIV through heterosexual (male with female) contact.
* African-Americans account for 22% of living AIDS cases in Los Angeles County.
* Latinos make up the largest number of people living with AIDS of any racial and ethnic group in Los Angeles County.

The story goes like this:
When a man doesn’t know he is HIV positive, he may see no reason to avoid risky sexual behavior, needle sharing, or other means of spreading the virus. He may have just one unprotected sexual encounter with a woman that he meets on a night out, and spread the virus to her. And if he is sexually active with more than one woman, they are all at risk. If he is an intravenous drug user, he may share needles with others and spread the virus to his friends. All without being aware that he is doing so.

We share the African-American and Latino statistics to show that HIV is spreading at a rapid pace in these communities. The best way to put a stop to the growing problem is for individuals to be tested.

HIV tests are confidential, and are offered at a low cost or free at many locations in Los Angeles County. To be safe, it is best to be tested for HIV if you do not know the status of recent sexual partners and those with whom you may have shared needles. It is best to be certain if you are HIV positive or negative. If you are positive, you need to seek HIV/AIDS treatment so you don’t become ill. To be blunt, dying from AIDS complications is a slow and painful process.

Tarzana Treatment Centers provides storefront HIV testing in the San Fernando Valley. If you find that you are HIV positive, you will want to ask about our renowned HIV services. We staff caring individuals who not only know how to produce a video, but understand what you are dealing with and can provide you all of the services you need.

Tarzana Treatment Centers in Los Angeles provides adult and youth alcohol and drug treatment. We specialize in treatment for mental health and substance use disorders, and have two primary medical care clinics in the San Fernando Valley and Antelope Valley. If you or a loved one needs help with alcohol dependence, drug addiction, or co-occurring mental health disorders, please call us now at 888-777-8565 or contact us here.

All of our services are also available via video conference or phone as part of our telehealth services.

Southern California Locations for Alcohol and Drug Treatment
Tarzana Treatment Centers has locations all over Southern California in Los Angeles County. Other than our central location in Tarzana, we have facilities in Lancaster in the Antelope Valley, Long Beach, and in Northridge and Reseda in the San Fernando Valley.