HIV and HCV Screening

This program provides Bridge House clients with the opportunity to be tested for HIV and HCV – two serious diseases that are prevalent among the substance abusing population. In addition to being tested, every client receives counseling to identify risk behaviors, understand potential impact of a positive result, and make a plan for behavior change. By providing these services, we hope to make available treatment options and encourage the men to make appropriate lifestyle choices. Counselors learn how to ask sensitive questions and discuss difficult issues – a critical skill for every physician to master. They also learn as first year medical students how to give positive HIV and HCV results. No other medical school program will better prepare you to give “bad news” to patients.