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What are HIV and AIDS?
HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that damages the body's immune system. AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) is a condition caused by HIV in which the immune system is severely weakened and can't fight off certain serious illnesses.
A person can be infected with HIV and not have any symptoms for many years. That's why it's very important to be screened regularly for infection and to consider medications for prevention if you're at risk for HIV exposure. There are also highly effective medications for treating HIV infection now. They can prevent damage to the immune system and help people living with HIV live long and healthy lives.
Care and services at our HIV Prevention and Care Clinic
The Kaiser Permanente HIV Prevention and Care Clinic is located at our Interstate Medical Office East in Portland. It features a multidisciplinary specialty program dedicated to HIV prevention services — including PrEP and PEP — and primary and specialty care for people living with HIV. Screening and treatment for anal dysplasia, an abnormal cell growth caused by the human papilloma virus, or HPV, is also available.

- HIV specialist physicians
- Nurse practitioners
- Physician’s associates
- Psychiatric physicians
- Specialty pharmacists
- Nurses
- Medical assistants
- Social workers
HIV care
If you’re a Kaiser Permanente member living with or recently diagnosed with HIV, you can call our clinic at 503-249-5536, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., to schedule an intake appointment. No referral is needed. We’ll match you with an HIV specialist who will provide your HIV care. If you want, your specialist can also provide your primary care.
Our social workers and registered nurses will help get you started by reviewing any needed medication refills, updated labs, records from previous care, and your health coverage. They’ll let you know about helpful resources like referrals for emergency housing, grocery or meal assistance, behavioral health services, and transportation assistance. They’ll also help you schedule an appointment for an initial visit with one of our HIV specialists.
How to get PrEP
PrEP is available by prescription through our HIV Prevention and Care Clinic. No referral is needed for PrEP consultation.
To schedule a virtual appointment with our clinic to discuss PrEP, simply choose any of these options:
Sign in to kp.org to schedule an appointment, scroll down, and select the “PrEP-HIV Pre_Exposure Prophylaxis” option. Follow the prompts to schedule a consultation.
If you prefer, you can call our clinic directly at
503-249-5536, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., to schedule an appointment.
Let your personal doctor know you’re interested in PrEP and their staff can schedule an appointment for you.
Prepare for your appointment
A nurse from our clinic will contact you to discuss recommended lab testing before your PrEP consultation. A recent negative HIV test is required before we can prescribe PrEP medication.
How to get PEP
If you think you may have been exposed to HIV in the last 3 days (72 hours), seek immediate care with any of these options:
Immediately call our 24-hour appointment and advice Line at 1-800-813-2000 (TTY 711).
At kp.org/getcare, select “Start a video or phone visit” to talk to a clinician 24/7 — no appointment needed.
Complete an online consultation to get medical advice or a treatment plan, including prescriptions.
Taking PEP
When you request PEP, you’ll need to complete baseline lab tests and will be prescribed a starter pack of antiviral HIV medications. It’s important to pick up your medications and start the first dose as soon as possible.
Within 2 to 3 days, our HIV Prevention and Care Clinic will contact you to schedule an appointment to:
- Check in and see how you’re doing with the medication
- Review the risk of HIV transmission
- Prescribe the remaining weeks of antivirals to complete your PEP treatment
- Schedule any recommended follow-up labs
If you need care related to a sexual assault, please go to the nearest emergency room and seek immediate care.
Connecting to care
Call us 24/7 and talk with a licensed care clinician about your questions or concerns. Find your local phone number below.