The Student Health Service offers a peer clinic during the Fall and Spring semesters for confidential STI Screening & Testing by Certified Peer Sexual Health Educator PEACHs (Peer Educators Advocating Campus Health).

                             Mondays & Tuesdays 11am-3pm.

                      Book online or by appointment 415-338-1719

Students who request an STI screening and are asymptomatic (NOT experiencing symptons) may be given a sexual health PSHE STI screening appointment. An SHS Physician will follow up with test results via myHealth secure message or by phone within the week. The purpose of the appointment shall be to ensure:

• The patient receives education about  STIs and how to prevent transmission (a risk reduction plan).
• The patient is screened for Chlamydia and/or Gonorrhea (urine test). For HIV and /or Syphilis (blood test) and
• The patient is familar with STIs testing limitations and the tests required for STI screening.

STI checks are important if you are curious about your sexual health, or if you are starting a new relationship or ending a relationship.

Please allow 30 minutes for STI screening appointments. You will most likely be asked to give a urine sample at the lab after your peer clinic session.

FamilyPACT enrolled students may receive free STI testing, including HIV antibody blood test.

IF you are experiencing sypmtoms such as:

• penile discharge
• genital bumps or sores
• painful urination

PLEASE CALL 415-338-1251 to make an appointment sooner with a SHS provider. 

Birth Control Information Peer Clinic (PSHE Clinic)

                Mondays & Tuesdays 11am-3pm

         Book online or by appointment 415-338-2191

The Student Health Service offers a peer clinic during the Fall and Spring semesters for confidential Birth Control Education by Certified Peer Sexual Health Educators (PSHE). The purpose of the appointment shall be to ensure:

• The patient has information to help make informed choices of birth control method.
• The patient possesses correct and adequate knowledge of the method(s) of their choice.
• The patient understands that a pelvic examination MAY be part of an annual examination but it is no longer recommended for most patients under 21.
• The ability to book a fast-track appointment for Women's Health Annual Exam or an appointment to receive birth control from an SHS provider.

You are NOT required to have this appointment before receiving a birth control method from Student Health Service.

To better assist you in your birth control decision making prior to your appointment, please visit Association of Reproductive Health Professionals method Match.

For more information about the peer clinics (STI/HIV Testing & Screening & Birth Control Information Services at the SHS, contact Ingrid Ochoa, MPH, CHES (iochoa@sfsu.edu) SHS health educator.

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Confidential versus anonymous HIV testing

Confidential testing means that your personal information and test results will be available to SHS Healthcare Providers and will only be released to others per the SHS Notice of Privacy Practices.

Anonymous Testing means that your name is not recorded and no personal identifiers are documented. Anonymous testing is not provided at the SHS but is available at several clinics in San Francisco.

You can locate an anonymous test site by calling 415-502-TEST (8378).

HIV Antibody Test

What is the HIV antibody test?

The HIV antibody test determines whether a person has been infected with HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus), the virus that causes Acquired Immune Deficiency Disease). It is not a direct test for AIDS and does not tell if a person has AIDS . If infected with HIV, the body's immune system builds up antibodies in an attempt to fight the virus. The test will measure the presence of these antibodies. A negative test result means that no HIV antibodies were found at the time of the test. However, because it can take up to six months for HIV antibodies to develop (called the "window period ") it is important to understand that a recent exposure to HIV may not present itself on the test. A person concerned about unsafe behavior within the past six months may wish to test after the window period.

Why get tested?

• To know your HIV status
• If you are HIV positive, get into health care
• To better protect yourself and your partner
• To learn more about strategies for safer sex

Should I get tested?

You may want to consider taking the HIV antibody test if:

• You have or had vaginal, anal or oral sex with someone whose sexual or medical history you do not know.
• You have or had unprotected sex (e.g., sexual activity without latex or polyurethane condoms).
• You share or have shared needles.
• You have or had unprotected sex with a person with HIV or at risk for HIV.
• You are a woman considering pregnancy You had a blood transfusion between 1978 to 1985.
• You have been recently diagnosed with a sexually transmitted disease (STD).
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Deciding whether to be tested can be complicated. It is a very personal decision that should be made only after you understand what the results mean. Before you decide to be tested, you can talk to a health educator who can give you more information and address your questions and concerns.

HIV Antibody Testing Services at the Student Health Services

Provider-ordered HIV Antibody test:

• The test is a blood test
• The cost is $8 plus a $10 draw and administration fee
• FamilPACT Enrolled students may receive STI testing including HIV Testing for free
• The results are available within approximately 2-3 days.
• The results WILL be placed in the student's medical records within a restricted area of the chart

Additional Resources

For Bay Area anonymous HIV antibody test sites, call 502-TEST (8378)

AIDS Coordinating Committee