Health Department

HIV in the United States

HIV and AIDS remain a problem in the United States. While great progress has been made in preventing and treating HIV, nearly 40,000 people in the US were diagnosed with HIV in 2015. An estimated 1.1 million people in the United States were living with HIV at the end of 2014.

HIV is primarily spread through sexual behaviors and needle or syringe use. HIV is NOT transmitted by air or water, saliva, sweat, tears or closed-mouth kissing, insects or pets, and sharing toilets, food or drinks. 

HIV, however, knows no boundaries. It can affect anyone regardless of sexual orientation, age, gender or race, and there are certain groups that are at higher risk for HIV. According to data compiled by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), gay and bisexual men accounted for 70 percent of all new HIV infections in 2014.

About 1 in 7 people in the US who have HIV don’t know they have it. The CDC recommends everyone between the ages of 13 and 64 get tested for HIV at least once as part of routine health care.

Our Services

Although there is no cure for HIV infection, there are treatment options that can help people living with HIV experience long and productive lives. If you have been diagnosed with HIV, you should start medical care immediately. The KCHD’s Centers of Excellence (COE) is a specialty clinic that provides care to those infected with HIV. 

Established in 2000, the primary mission of the COE is to ensure those that are uninsured or underinsured have access to HIV providers. The Centers of Excellence also provides nutrition and pharmaceutical counseling if needed. Additionally, we have medical care managers available within the clinic to link patients to other services. Our staff is dedicated to building strong, trusting relationships with our patients.  

The COE serves adult (18 years and older) residents of Knox County and the East Tennessee region (16 counties that surround Knox County) who are on TennCare and the Knox County Indigent Care Program, and those who are Ryan White eligible. Those with private insurance and Medicare may qualify through the Ryan White income guidelines.

Contact Information

• Centers of Excellence: (865) 215-5080
• Communicable Disease Clinic: (865) 215-5370

All patient services and patient information are confidential. No one will be denied service because they cannot pay. Please contact our staff for more information.