Our ServicesThe Wellness Program | Ryan White Gra ...
The Wellness Program | Ryan White Grant
The MWHC Wellness Program | Ryan White Grant serves our community to help
those living with HIV and AIDS to navigate healthcare, understand medications,
and assist in finding financial and emotional support options.
Wellness Program clients who are interested in understanding what assistance
is available for them can come to the program office. Our staff will assist
clients in understanding eligibility requirements, general conditions
and restrictions.
For more information, contact us at
540.374.3279 or email
Wellness.Program@mwhc.com. The Wellness Program office is located on the Mary Washington Hospital
campus in the Tompkins-Martin Medical Plaza, 1101 Sam Perry Blvd., Suite
318, Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401. Transportation to this location is
available on the local
Fred Bus.
OraQuick® is the first FDA-approved oral swab in-home test for HIV-1
and HIV-2. It's an oral swab test that doesn't require blood. It's completely
private. And it's based on the same HIV test that healthcare professionals
have used since 2004.
With the OraQuick In-Home HIV Test, you can take the first step toward
learning your HIV status. Find out in just 20 minutes in the comfort and
privacy of your own home. The results are completely confidential.
OraQuick is from OraSure Technologies, a company with a long and trusted
history of leadership and innovation in HIV testing. For years, it has
been the company healthcare professionals have used for HIV tests.
If you are concerned about leaving your house for an HIV test, the Mary
Washington Wellness Program has FREE at-home test kits available for Virginia
residents to check their HIV status in just 20 minutes.
If you would like to receive a FREE kit,
please fill out this form and someone from our team will be in contact with you or call
540.374.3279. A discreetly packaged kit will be mailed directly to you for your convenience.
As a reminder, we continue to offer free in-office HIV testing at 1101
Sam Perry Blvd, Suite 304; Fredericksburg, VA 22401.
Are You Worried About Contracting HIV? Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)
The MWHC Wellness Program team will help guide you through strategies to
reduce the risk of contracting HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.
The team is open minded and will allow you to ask any question you have
regarding sexual practices.
If you would like to start Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis call the office at
540.374.3279. Our team will connect you with a caring physician to manage your health
care and medications. The program has options to help with the cost of
medical visits, labs and medications.
If you are in need of condoms or lube and can't visit our Wellness Program office,
please fill out this form and our team will mail them to you.
When used properly, condoms are highly effective in preventing HIV and
other Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). Part of effective use includes
using a non-oil based lubricant to reduce breakage.
Are you worried about contracting HIV? Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)
The MW Wellness Program team will help guide you through strategies to
reduce the risk of contracting HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.
The team is open minded and will allow you to ask any question you have
regarding sexual practices.
If you would like to start Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, call our office at
540.374.3279. Our team will connect you with a caring physician to manage your health
care and medications. The program has options to help with the cost of
medical visits, labs and medications.
Are you concerned you have been exposed to HIV? Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP)
Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) is a medication you can take to reduce
the risk of contraction after a possible exposure. Call as soon as possible
to talk with our team. The medication must be started within 72 hours
of an unprotected sexual experience. Let us help you with your concern.
540.374.3279.
You may be at increased risk for contracting STIs if you:
Are having unprotected sex
Have multiple partners
Have a history of STIs
Are being forced to engage in sexual activity
Misuse alcohol or use recreational drugs
Are unsure how to be sexually healthy
If you are sexually active and worried that you may have contracted a Sexually
Transmitted Infection (STI), contact one of our Medical Case Managers today at
540.374.3279.
We are here to help.
If you are not sure about your HIV and other medications, we can help you
sort out what is current and needed. We can also help you optimize timing
and administration of the medications for the best absorption.
Our goal is to help all clients reach an undetectable level. Give us a
call to meet with one of our medical case managers today
540.374.3279.
U=U means Undetectable=Untransmittable.
Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)
The MWHC Wellness Program team will help guide you through strategies to
reduce the risk of contracting HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.
The team is open minded and will allow you to ask any question you have
regarding sexual practices.
If you would like to start Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, call the office at
540.374.3279. Our team will connect you with a caring physician to manage
your health care and medications. The program has options to help with
the cost of medical visits, labs, and medications.
The Virginia AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) provides access to life-saving
medications for the treatment of HIV and related illnesses for low-income
clients through the provision of medications or through assistance with
insurance premiums and medication co-payments.
The program is primarily supported with federal Ryan White (RW) Treatment
Extension Act Part B grant funding, which is distributed by a formula
based on living HIV and AIDS cases to all states and territories in the
United States.
We also have a way to help you dispose of the old and unwanted medications,
just give us a call at
540.374.3279.
The MWHC Wellness Program team will help guide you through strategies to
reduce the risk of contracting HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.
The team is open minded and will allow you to ask any question you have
regarding sexual practices.
If you would like to start Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, call the office at
540.374.3279. Our team will connect you with a caring physician to manage
your health care and medications. The program has options to help with
the cost of medical visits, labs, and medications.
Are you concerned you have been exposed to HIV?
Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP)
Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) is a medication you can take to reduce
the risk of contraction after a possible exposure. Call as soon as possible
to talk with our team. The medication must be started within 72 hours
of an unprotected sexual experience. Let us help you with your concern.
540.374.3279.
Sleep & HIV
While sleep is important for anyone, the American Psychological Association
(APA) emphasizes that sleep is a particularly important factor among Americans
living with HIV. The APA found 30-40% of HIV-positive adults report some
difficulty with sleep, ranging from occasional difficulties falling asleep,
to interrupted sleep patterns, to waking up after only a few hours of
sleep, to insomnia.
Are you getting enough sleep?
Considering the challenges of the past year, the answer is likely a resounding
“NO!” Sleep is such an important part of our lives, that the
Centers for Disease Control (CDC) began to study the self-reported sleep
patterns of American adults a few years ago. The CDC found that one-third
of American adults report getting less than the recommended seven hours
of sleep per night.
The National Sleep Foundation (NSF) also found that most Americans report
feeling sleepy during daylight hours, an average of three times per week.
According to the NSF 55% of American adults report they do not sleep well
at night, while 44% report not getting enough sleep.
We all know that a good night’s sleep makes us feel better, and most
of us have experienced changes in mood, irritability, or confusion, when
we are unable to sleep. Sleep disturbances, and sleep disorders also impact
our overall health, however, and are linked to:
Heart Disease
High Blood Pressure
Obesity
Depression
Headaches, and Migraines
Potential Causes of Sleep Disturbances Among Persons Living With HIV
Chronic insomnia shortly after HIV-infection
Side effects of Antiretroviral Therapy
Side effects of HIV-infection
Stressful life events and challenges
Get a “Good Night’s Sleep”
Easier said than done, most of us would say, but the CDC and sleep experts
recommend the following for a better night’s sleep:
Establish a routine, and go to bed around the same time every night
Check your environment: Is it dark enough or too dark for you? Is the room
temperature comfortable? Is it quiet, or too quiet for you? Find what
works for you.
Do not take your phone to bed or silence your phone if you feel comfortable
doing so. Unless it is an emergency-it can wait until you have your first
cup of coffee in the morning
Avoid caffeine, alcohol, or large meals right before you go to bed
Give yourself some “down time”-turn the TV off, listen to relaxing
music, listen to relaxing sounds
Avoid naps during the day
Take a warm bubble bath before sleep
Don’t use your bedroom as an office
Make a list of things of things to worry you, and things to remember, before
you go to bed and remind yourself that you will “tackle” that
list in the morning
And most importantly: Talk to your doctor if difficulties with sleep persist
or begin to impact your physical and mental health!
We Can Help
Medical case managers are available to assist with sleep strategies and
connect you with a specialist if needed. Call our office at
540.374.3279 to speak to someone.
Pride in Practice: Talking with Your Healthcare Provider About Sexual and
Reproductive Health
Coming Out to Your Provider
Coming out to your healthcare provider is an important step to living a
healthy life. LGBTQ+ people face unique health risks, such as higher smoking
rates, greater risk of suicide attempts, and a higher chance of getting
certain sexually transmitted diseases. Talking with your provider can
help you assess your risk, access the care you need, and maintain a healthy
lifestyle.
Why does my provider need to know?
Your healthcare is about YOU. By being open with your provider, you allow
them to provide you with the best care that will support your mind, body,
and spirit.
Your provider can offer care that is personal and relevant to you.
Your provider can refer you to specialists and other wellness providers
who are welcoming to LGBTQ+ people.
Your provider can be sensitive to current health trends that affect LGBTQ+ people.
Emotional, Physical, & Mental Health
LGTBQ+ people can sometimes experience stereotyping, harassment, bullying,
and prejudice. This kind of discrimination can be stressful, which can
increase your risk of depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and suicide.
Being open about your sexual orientation and gender identity allows your
provider to give you the best possible care.
An exercise routine and healthy diet are important for everyone. Research
has shown that LGBTQ+ people are at a higher risk of smoking, obesity,
and poor body image. By being open with your healthcare provider, they
can advise you on healthy diets, smoking cessation, and exercise routines.
Lesbians, bisexual women, and some transgender people should get routine
gynecologic screenings, including Pap smears, and routine breast cancer
screenings.
Sexual and Reproductive Health
No matter your sexual orientation, talking to your provider about your
sexual health isn’t easy. Each person’s needs will differ,
but some of the most important sexual health topics to discuss are:
Screening for sexually transmitted infections (STI) and HIV/AIDS. Find
resources on testing and prevention here (link to STI info).
Vaccinations for HPV, hepatitis A, and hepatitis B
Using condoms and other barrier methods of protection
Safe sex education and counseling
Issues with sexual function or satisfaction
Plans to conceive children
All LGBTQ+ people should feel comfortable talking to their provider about
feeling safe at home, partner abuse, and advance care planning.
Frequently Asked Questions
I don’t want anyone besides my healthcare provider to know my sexual
orientation. Will this information remain private?
Your healthcare provider is required by law to keep your information private.
If you are under 18, these laws will vary by state and policies may vary
by medical practice. You can also ask your provider not to enter this
information into your medical record.
What if my provider uses the wrong terms or pronouns when referring to
me or my partner/spouse?
Your healthcare provider may not always know what pronouns you prefer to
use. Let them know how you describe yourself and your partner, and they
should start to use those words.
What if I still don’t feel comfortable coming out to my provider?
The first step is finding a healthcare provider you connect with. You can
talk to friends or use the resources listed here. Finding a provider you
are comfortable with is key to your well-being and health.
LGBTQ+ Healthcare Resources
There are many resources available for LGBTQ+ patients seeking medical
care and advice.
Staying well and protecting yourself from COVID-19.
People who live with HIV should always protect themselves against viruses
and infections.
Limit exposure to others by staying home unless it is absolutely necessary
to go out.
Wash your hands often.
Get adequate rest.
Take all medications on a regular schedule.
Eat well, with emphasis on colorful vegetables.
Drink plenty of water – you are adequately hydrated if your urine
is pale yellow.
If you feel unwell, take your temperature every couple of hours. Call our
office at
540.374.3279 if your temperature elevates or call the MWHC Nurse Advice Line at
540.741.1000 (available 7 days a week 7:00 a.m.–midnight).
