Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
Treatment and Care

HIV remains an important public health issue in the state of Georgia. As of the end of 2024, there were 66,896 people living with HIV in Georgia, and 2,485 people were newly diagnosed with HIV in 2024. The number of people living with HIV continues to increase, in part because effective HIV treatment allows people who are diagnosed early and receive appropriate care to live longer, healthier lives.

According to the Georgia Department of Public Health’s 2024 HIV Surveillance Summary Report, Georgia continues to experience a substantial burden of HIV. In 2024, Georgia had an HIV diagnosis rate of 22.2 per 100,000 population, while the rate of people living with HIV was 598.3 per 100,000 population.

Georgia ranked fifth in the nation for the total number of new HIV diagnoses among adults and adolescents and fifth for the total number of people living with HIV, based on the most recent CDC national comparison cited by the Georgia Department of Public Health. Georgia ranked second in the nation for the rate of HIV diagnoses among adults and adolescents, behind the District of Columbia, and third for the rate of people living with HIV, behind the District of Columbia and New York.

The 2024 data demonstrate that HIV continues to have a significant impact on Georgia communities and reinforce the importance of HIV prevention, routine testing, early diagnosis, linkage to care, retention in care, viral suppression, and access to comprehensive medical and supportive services. Georgia’s HIV surveillance data also demonstrate the importance of addressing persistent disparities and ensuring that individuals living with HIV have access to the care and support needed to achieve optimal health outcomes.

Routes of HIV Transmission

HIV is transmitted through specific body fluids from a person with HIV when those fluids enter the bloodstream or come into contact with mucous membranes or damaged tissue. The primary routes of HIV transmission include:

• Anal sex — HIV can be transmitted through condomless anal sex, with receptive anal sex carrying the highest sexual risk.
• Vaginal sex — HIV can be transmitted through condomless vaginal sex.
• Sharing needles, syringes, or other injection equipment — Sharing equipment used to inject drugs can transmit HIV when contaminated blood is introduced into the bloodstream.
• Mother-to-child transmission — HIV can be transmitted during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding. With appropriate HIV treatment and preventive care, the risk can be reduced to less than 1%.
• Occupational exposure — Healthcare workers can potentially be exposed through needlestick injuries or contact with infected blood, although occupational transmission is extremely rare with appropriate precautions.
• Blood transfusions or organ transplantation — Transmission through screened blood and donated organs is extremely rare in the United States because of rigorous testing and safety procedures.

HIV is not transmitted through:

• Hugging, shaking hands, or casual physical contact
• Sharing food, dishes, or drinking glasses
• Toilet seats
• Swimming pools
• Sweat, tears, or saliva
• Mosquitoes or other insects
• Coughing or sneezing

Key message: A person with HIV who is taking HIV medicine and maintains an undetectable viral load does not transmit HIV through sex. This is commonly summarized as U=U (Undetectable = Untransmittable).

HIV/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) Care at the Southeast Health District

The Southeast Health District has a long history of providing quality care for those with HIV/AIDS. Our program was developed in 1989 through the vision of Dr. Ted Holloway, District Health Director (Retired). The Wellness Centers provide primary care to those with HIV/AIDS and partner with many community agencies to enable our clients to access support services. Care is provided through two Wellness Centers, which are located in our largest counties, Bulloch and Coffee.

Some of the services we provide include:

• Case Management and Peer Support Groups
• HIV counseling and testing
• Client education about HIV/AIDS transmission and infection control issues
• CD4 viral load testing
• Diagnostic tests
• Genotype testing
• Therapeutic and prophylactic measures
• Adherence-based treatment plans
• Referrals to subspecialty services and clinical trials
• Coordination with other providers
• Substance abuse services
• Mental health services
• Oral health services
• Transportation services
• Medication adherence program for clients receiving Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART)
• TB testing
• Diagnostic testing and appropriate medical follow-up/referrals for infants born to HIV positive mothers
• Women’s Health services including:
  • Pap smears
  • Colposcopy services – as appropriate
  • Referral to the Breast and Cervical Cancer Program (BCCP) for mammograms and follow-up as appropriate
  • Referral to specialty GYN services for services outside of care available
  • Hepatitis C treatment for co-infected patients

Each of the Southeast Health District’s Wellness Centers is staffed by a physician/mid-level provider, registered nurse, and administrative assistant. Staff is trained in state-of-the-art HIV care. Respect for our clients’ confidentiality and privacy is of the utmost importance. No one is turned away due to inability to pay.

Ware Wellness Center

1102 Plant Ave

Waycross, GA 31501

Phone: (912)550-0020

Fax: (912)490-7644

Ryan White Program Forms

Release of Information (English)

Release of Information (Spanish)

Ryan White Program Statement of Support (Updated June 2022)

Notification of Client Responsibility for Health Insurance Continuation Program (HICP) of Georgia

Applicant Agreement

STI & HIV Testing

STI testing and treatment, as well as FDA-approved contraception, are available at all health departments and both wellness centers within the Southeast Health District.

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