St. Mary Health Unit offers free HIV, STD tests Thursday

The St. Mary Parish Health Unit is offering free and confidential testing for HIV and sexually transmitted infections Thursday with no appointment required.

The health unit is located at 1200 David Drive in Morgan City. Testing will be available from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm, including:

--Rapid tests for HIV and syphilis

--STI screening for gonorrhea, chlamydia and Hepatitis C

There were 47 new HIV diagnoses in 2021 in the seven parishes of Region 3, which includes St. Mary. More than half, or 57%, were among Black people, and 68% were among males. Most new diagnoses, 55%, were people under 30
years of age.

“Knowing your status is important for anyone who may have HIV or an STI so they can get treatment,” said Eric Brooks, MD, regional medical director. “It’s also crucial to
preventing further spread of those illnesses.”

To learn more, visit ldh.la.gov/page/928.