Healthy AF (And Fearless) is here to keep it real about your sexual health. No shame, no judgment, no awkward clinic vibes—just straight-up facts, resources, and support. Whether you’re hitting up a clinic or testing at home, you’re in control. Stay confident. Stay informed. Stay Healthy AF.
HIV
HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that makes it harder for your body to stay healthy and fight off infections.
HIV can be passed from one person to another through:
- Body fluids (vaginal, anal, or oral) during sexual contact;
- Sharing needles or other injection equipment; or
- From parent to child during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding.
HIV cannot be transmitted through casual contact, like hugging, shaking hands, kissing, or sharing drinks or food.
Get Tested
If you’re getting it on, getting tested is just smart. Knowing your status keeps you and your partner(s) safe and in control. About 1 in 5 people in the U.S. have an STI right now, including HIV. Free or low-cost HIV and STI testing are available across South Dakota at your local clinic, or you can order a self-test to take privately in your home (or wherever you are). If your test does come back positive, treatments work. Today, people with HIV can live long, healthy lives. It’s all about knowing the risks, knowing your status, and staying in control of your sexual health while having fun.
Curious about your risk?
Ready to start the conversation?
Find a Location
Ready to get tested and stay healthy AF? Free or low-cost, confidential HIV and STI testing is available across South Dakota. Walk-ins are welcome at many locations, but calling ahead is a smart move to make sure your spot is ready when you are.
Find a friendly, convenient location near you—because taking care of your health should be easy,
stress-free, and in your control.
Free HIV Self-Test
Take control of your sexual health—no clinic, no waiting rooms, no awkward small talk. The HIV self-test is safe, easy to use with a simple mouth swab, and gives results in about 20 minutes.
Why self-test?
- Your schedule, your space.
Test whenever and wherever you want—privacy guaranteed. - Confidence in your hands.
Stay smart, stay informed, and stay in control of your health.
Heads up: If your result is positive, you’ll need a lab test to confirm it. A recent possible exposure may not show yet. If your result is negative, talk to your health care provider about ways to prevent HIV.
Request your kit, swab, wait 20 minutes, and know your status.
Request a Kit
You can now take an HIV self-test in the privacy of your home (or wherever you are). Click the button below to order your free HIV self-test. You’ll be directed to complete a confidential form through the South Dakota Department of Health. If you have questions about your results, trained professionals are available to talk with you and provide support. Any positive result would need to be confirmed by a healthcare professional.
Order Now
Results in 3 Easy Steps
For complete instructions, refer to the ‘Instructions for Use’ provided with the test kit. You can also watch video instructions here.
Collect
Gently swab the pad along your upper gums once and your lower gums once. You may use either side of the flat pad.
Insert
Put the test stick directly into the test tube where indicated in the Test Stand.
Read Results
The test window will turn pink for a few minutes. Do not read your results before 20 minutes have passed. Once your results are ready, you must read between 20 and 40 minutes from the start time.
HIV Prevention
Taking control of your sexual health starts with prevention. Having other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can increase your risk of getting HIV. Some people have no symptoms, so the only way to know is to get tested.
What is PrEP?
PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is very effective at preventing HIV when taken as prescribed. It can lower the chance of getting HIV from sex by up to 99%, and by at least 74% for people who inject drugs. People who don’t have HIV take this medicine before possible exposure to reduce their risk. Remember, PrEP doesn’t protect against other STIs, so condoms are still important. It’s safe, discreet, and works best when paired with regular HIV and STI testing and other ways to reduce risk.
PrEP is for anyone who is sexually active, including people with multiple partners, men who have sex with men, or anyone at risk of HIV. It’s safe, effective, and generally has no serious side effects. Stay in control. Protect yourself, your partners, and your freedom to live confidently.
Benefits of PrEP
- Highly effective at preventing HIV when taken as prescribed.
- Supports a proactive, empowered approach to sexual health.
- Works alongside condoms, HIV self-tests, and other prevention
strategies.
Taking PrEP isn’t just about protection. It’s about living Healthy AF.
Treatment
Positive result? A positive status isn’t the end. Don’t panic—you’ve got this. Treatments keep you healthy, protect others, and let you live life on your terms.
Health centers across South Dakota offer confidential care, support, and guidance—whether it’s
medication, counseling, or follow-up testing. Getting treatment early makes a big difference.
The Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program is a federal program that funds care and services for people living with HIV. Part B provides a safety net, helping people access care and get the HIV medications they need. Part C is part of the medical clinic at Falls Community Health, working to make high-quality primary care more available to people living with HIV.
For Providers
Here are practical clinical resources and up-to-date information to support HIV prevention and sexual health in your practice.
- South Dakota Department of Health HIV Resources, including how to report.
- National HIV Curriculum: Provides ongoing, up-to-date information needed to meet the core competency knowledge for HIV prevention, screening, diagnosis, and treatment and care. In addition to the course modules, there are sections on medications, tools & calculators, symptom guides, podcasts, and mini-lectures that can be used independently.
- National HIV PrEP Curriculum: Novice-to-expert health care professionals can develop proficiency in the fundamental skills needed to assess, initiate, and monitor HIV PrEP from the 6-hour module.
- Talk PrEP Provider Resources
- PrEP Toolkit
Keep it Healthy AF
Making sexual health and HIV prevention easy and accessible.
- Promote routine HIV and STI testing as part of standard care.
- Talk openly about prevention options.
- Connect patients to testing options across South Dakota.
For more information or resources, contact the HIV program manager or call 605-367-7202.
Disclaimer: Led by the Community HealthCare Association of the Dakotas, in partnership with the South Dakota Department of Health, this campaign helps South Dakotans get tested, stay protected, and make informed choices about HIV and sexual wellness. This site contains
HIV, STI, and Viral Hepatitis prevention messages that may not be suitable for all audiences. Topics may include sexual practices or needle use. If this content is not for you, or may be offensive, please exit the webpage.
Contact: Community HealthCare Association of the Dakotas
Funding Acknowledgement: This website is supported by the Grant FOA #NU62PS924825 High-Impact HIV Prevention and Surveillance Programs for Health Departments, funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 100% of this publication is financed by federal funds. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Department of Health and Human Services.
