Frequently Asked Questions
How many people live in Iris House?
None, technically. Iris House provides supportive services for people living with HIV and other health disparities. One of the programs we offer is Scatter Site Housing, offered through New York City's HIV/AIDS Services Administration. Under this program, we manage 86 apartments for people living with HIV, so while we do provide housing through HASA, Iris House does not house people in any of our formal locations.
I think I've been exposed to HIV! What do I do?
The first thing is don't panic. There are many options on the table. If you think there is a reasonable chance you've been exposed, call your healthcare provider immediately and ask about being put on PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis.) Doctors and emergency rooms are able to prescribe PEP, which usually requires a thirty day supply of medicine. For more information about PEP, check out this information on the CDC's website.
Depending upon a number of factors, there is a "window period" for HIV to show up in your blood. This can be anywhere from approximately 9 days, up to 6 months. Most tests today are effective between 2 and 12 weeks from exposure, but approximately 3% of the population may take up to six months to have a viral load high enough to read. An HIV Test within a week of an accidental exposure will not give you an appropriate reading. For more information on window periods and current testing technology, visit the San Francisco AIDS Foundation.
Isn't the Epidemic Over?
We wish we could say yes, but we can't. Great strides have been made over the last few years in getting more people to viral suppression, getting more people on PrEP and reducing the numbers of new infections every year, but we aren't there yet.
Isn't Iris House for women only?
Nope! Although we were originally founded as a resource for HIV+ women, we expanded into serving their families and their children, and more recently have also begun men's programming. In 2014, we served approximately the same number of men and women when averaged across all of our programs.
Are you a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit organization?
We sure are! Tax Id # 13-3699201. Like to see our paperwork?
Do you have services for HIV+ infants or toddlers?
Our programs are primarily aimed at adults who are able to be an active part of their own health care strategies and planning.
None, technically. Iris House provides supportive services for people living with HIV and other health disparities. One of the programs we offer is Scatter Site Housing, offered through New York City's HIV/AIDS Services Administration. Under this program, we manage 86 apartments for people living with HIV, so while we do provide housing through HASA, Iris House does not house people in any of our formal locations.
I think I've been exposed to HIV! What do I do?
The first thing is don't panic. There are many options on the table. If you think there is a reasonable chance you've been exposed, call your healthcare provider immediately and ask about being put on PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis.) Doctors and emergency rooms are able to prescribe PEP, which usually requires a thirty day supply of medicine. For more information about PEP, check out this information on the CDC's website.
Depending upon a number of factors, there is a "window period" for HIV to show up in your blood. This can be anywhere from approximately 9 days, up to 6 months. Most tests today are effective between 2 and 12 weeks from exposure, but approximately 3% of the population may take up to six months to have a viral load high enough to read. An HIV Test within a week of an accidental exposure will not give you an appropriate reading. For more information on window periods and current testing technology, visit the San Francisco AIDS Foundation.
Isn't the Epidemic Over?
We wish we could say yes, but we can't. Great strides have been made over the last few years in getting more people to viral suppression, getting more people on PrEP and reducing the numbers of new infections every year, but we aren't there yet.
Isn't Iris House for women only?
Nope! Although we were originally founded as a resource for HIV+ women, we expanded into serving their families and their children, and more recently have also begun men's programming. In 2014, we served approximately the same number of men and women when averaged across all of our programs.
Are you a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit organization?
We sure are! Tax Id # 13-3699201. Like to see our paperwork?
Do you have services for HIV+ infants or toddlers?
Our programs are primarily aimed at adults who are able to be an active part of their own health care strategies and planning.
