Kind Clinic is committed to serving anyone who needs access to sexual health services. It is our goal to eliminate judgment and stigma that can surround sexual health services.

Kind Clinic provides high quality healthcare for everyone in our community.  Our Advocates are always available to get the care you need.

There are no criteria for making an appointment with Kind Clinic. If you have any questions concerning your sexual health or would like to start taking PrEP, book an appointment with us or call us at 1-833-WE-R-KIND (1-833-937-5463).

Absolutely. Kind Clinic services are available for all.

Medications sometimes have a cost. Your Kind Advocate will help you get any medications you need at little to no cost. 

All Kind Clinic appointments have a common goal — we strive to make sure our patients feel comfortable talking about their sexual health while receiving top-of-the-line medical care. Every person who walks into our doors is safe to be who they are, with no fear of stigma or judgment.

PrEP typically takes 7 days to provide full protection for anal sex and 20 days for vaginal/front hole sex. It’s important to use condoms during those times to prevent HIV transmission.

Most PrEP users don’t experience side effects. In your first few weeks of taking PrEP, you might experience minor symptoms such as fatigue, headache, abdominal pain, and weight loss. These side effects should go away on their own.

A small number of PrEP users might be at increased risk for kidney disease. While you’re taking PrEP, your doctor will monitor your kidney function with routine blood tests every three months.

Using condoms is a personal choice made between you and your sex partners. PrEP only protects against HIV so condoms can help you prevent things that PrEP can’t—like pregnancy, or STIs.

No. PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) can only prevent HIV when taken consistently BEFORE exposure. PrEP cannot be started as a method of treatment AFTER an event of HIV exposure (such as sex without a condom, needle-sharing drug use, or sexual assault).

PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis) is the 28-day treatment regimen recommended for people who’ve been exposed to HIV. If you think you have been exposed to HIV, it is important that you start taking PEP as soon as possible. PEP is only effective if taken within 72 hours of possible HIV exposure.

If you are exposed to HIV during a weekend, or you cannot make an appointment for the next day with your primary care doctor, go to an emergency room for immediate treatment. Do not wait more than 36 hours to start PEP treatment.

If you are currently taking PEP, talk to your doctor before starting PrEP. Blood testing and a short wait time are required to make sure you are HIV-negative after finishing a PEP regimen.

To be effective at preventing HIV, PrEP must be taken every day as prescribed by your doctor. If you miss one dose, that’s okay. Take your next dose as planned. If you miss two or three doses while you’re sexually active, or if you don’t take PrEP as prescribed, check in with your doctor to make sure that you’re still HIV-negative. You can restart your PrEP routine after you get a new negative HIV test.

Data analysis from the iPrEx study found PrEP to be effective:

• For people who take 7 PrEP pills per week, their estimated level of protection is 99%.
• For people who take 4 PrEP pills per week, their estimated level of protection is 96%.
• For people who take 2 PrEP pills per week, their estimated level of protection is 76%.

If your primary care doctor is unfamiliar with PrEP, call Kind Clinic at 512-853-9547. Kind Clinic can help you find PrEP services, so you may continue seeing your primary doctor for the rest of your health needs.

If you want your primary care doctor to handle your PrEP services, our physicians can contact your doctor on your behalf to talk about what PrEP is, and how it might be beneficial to you.

No, PrEP is not a vaccine. A vaccine provides immunity against an illness for a long period of time with no daily upkeep.

PrEP is a daily pill that, when taken as prescribed, greatly reduces your risk of getting HIV. PrEP does not provide immunity against HIV; as soon as you stop taking PrEP, you lose protection against the HIV virus. PrEP must be taken every day for optimal protection against HIV.

Yes. PrEP is one of several recommended options available to prevent the transmission of HIV. Talk to your primary care doctor for more information on the options available to you.

PrEP is covered by Medicaid and most insurance programs. Co-pay assistance programs are available. Call Kind Clinic at 512-853-9547 for more information about co-pay assistance.

If taken correctly and consistently, PrEP is 92%–99% effective in reducing your risk for HIV.

PrEP typically takes 7 to provide full protection for anal sex and 20 days for vagina/front hole sex. It’s important to use condoms during those times to prevent HIV transmission.

No. We recognize that people go in and out of “seasons of risk,” where there are certain times it makes sense to take PrEP, and then other times where it doesn’t make sense to take PrEP.

For example, if you start taking PrEP because you are sexually active with multiple partners who are HIV-positive and HIV-negative, and later you find yourself in a relationship where you and an HIV-negative partner are committed to having sex with only each other, then continuing to take PrEP might not make a whole lot of sense for you.

Or maybe you start PrEP when you are in a relationship, then that relationship ends and you have no sexual partner for the next six months; then it might not make sense to take PrEP.

Or, more simply, maybe you decide to use other options to reduce your risk for getting infected with HIV and PrEP doesn’t make the most sense now.

With proper guidance, people can safely start and stop taking PrEP. Think of PrEP as an HIV prevention option where HIV-negative individuals take a pill to prevent HIV infection for the “season” when they are most susceptible for being exposed to HIV.

If you feel your risk for HIV has changed recently and it doesn’t make sense for you to take PrEP anymore, then talk to your doctor or our staff about discontinuing PrEP. If you’re just experiencing a temporary “lull” in your sex life lasting less than a month or two and expect to be sexually active again in the near future, it may not be advisable to discontinue PrEP. Let’s talk.

In most cases PrEP has not shown to interact with other medications. Talk to your doctor about any other specific medications you are taking.

Yes, we do practice an informed consent model. So, no mental health letter is required. 

Our patient advocates can work with you to get HRT costs as low as possible. 

The first part of your visit will be spent with a patient advocate. You will then see a clinician and complete required lab work before leaving the clinic. You will most likely receive a prescription for HRT that same day, unless the provider has a medical concern that would prevent you from starting HRT. STI testing is also available at your New Gender Care appointment.

Unfortunately, the wait time is the same for all new patients. We are unable to provide HRT prescriptions until you have been seen for your initial New Gender Care appointment.

No, we will set you up for a new patient PrEP appointment first. Your New Gender Care appointment will be scheduled out to next available.

No. State law prevents providers from treating patients across state lines. All patients must reside in the State of Texas to receive care.

After 28 days of taking PEP, the HIV virus will dissipate. It’s important patients begin PEP no more than 72 hours after possible exposure.

Common side effects of PEP are diarrhea, headaches, nausea/vomiting, and fatigue. Your Kind Clinic provider will discuss side effects with you in more detail and provide you everything you need to know about PEP before you begin taking it.

PEP is a 28-day prescription medication to eradicate the HIV virus from the body.

We recommend all patients who might be exposed to HIV take PrEP daily. PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) reduces the risk of HIV transmission by 99% when taken daily.

It might be covered by your insurance. Regardless, we will never turn a patient away.

Make an appointment with us as soon as you can to discuss your options. If our office is closed, please go to an emergency room to receive the necessary treatment.

• HIV
• Gonorrhea
• Syphilis
• Chlamydia
• Hepatitis A, B and C

If you’re currently experiencing STI symptoms or know you’ve been exposed to an STI, you have two options:

1. Schedule an “HIV & STI Testing” appointment at one of our clinic locations, where our clinical staff can provide you testing & treatment at the same time.

2. Come in for Drop-in HIV/STI Testing and wait 3-5 business days for your results to come back. If they are positive, we’ll call you to schedule a follow up appointment for treatment.

Note: If you were assigned female at birth (including trans masculine-identifying patients) and are experiencing STI symptoms that include abdominal and or pelvic pain, please schedule an appointment with our clinical staff by calling us at 1-833-WE-R-KIND (1-833-937-5463).

Kind Clinic will either obtain a urine sample, blood sample or swab from the genital area to test for STIs.

Test results are uploaded into your Kind Clinic patient portal within 3-5 business days. If your test result is reactive, a Kind Clinic representative will call you to schedule a follow-up appointment for treatment.

During our Drop-in HIV/STI Testing hours, no appointment is needed to get tested for HIV, Syphilis, Hepatitis C, Gonorrhea, and Chlamydia. Other STI tests require an “HIV & STI Testing” appointment.

Unfortunately, we do not treat for STIs during our Drop-In HIV/STI hours. If you’re experiencing symptoms related to an STI and would like to get tested and treated in the same visit, you will need to set up an “HIV & STI Testing” appointment at one of our clinic locations.

No. If your lab results indicate you require treatment, we’ll call you to schedule a follow up appointment either at one of our clinic locations or via virtual visit.

The I in LGBTQIA+ stands for “Intersex.”

Intersex is an umbrella term for differences in sex traits or reproductive anatomy. Intersex people are born with these differences or develop them in childhood. There are many possible differences in genitalia, hormones, internal anatomy, or chromosomes, compared to the usual two ways that human bodies develop.

Some Intersex traits are noticed at birth. Others don’t show up until puberty or later in life. Intersex people often face shame—or are forced or coerced into changing their bodies, usually at a very young age. Most surgeries to change Intersex traits happen in infancy.

(“Disorder” or “difference of sex development” (DSD) is still a common medical term for Intersex traits. Many Intersex people reject the term “DSD” because it supports the idea that their bodies are wrong, or up to doctors to “fix.” Advocates in the United States often bring up the fact that until 1973, being gay was considered a mental disorder. Many natural human differences have been framed as medical problems, until communities fought for acceptance.)

All adult (18+) Intersex patients are welcome at Kind Clinic, including but not limited to those with:

• 5-alpha reductase deficiency
• Complete Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome (CAIS)
• Aphallia
• Clitoromegaly (large clitoris)
• Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH)
• Gonadal dysgenesis
• Hypospadias
• Klinefelter Syndrome
• Mosaicism 
• MRKH (Mullerian agenesis; vaginal agenesis; congenital absence of vagina)
• Ovo-testes 
• Partial Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome (PAIS)
• Progestin Induced Virilization
• Swyer Syndrome
• Turner Syndrome

If our providers are not able to meet your unique needs, we utilize a vetted referral network to help you find medical practitioners who can serve you better than we can.

You should be prepared to discuss your medical history, to the extent you are comfortable, so that we can work together on the best plan to meet your care needs. You will then see a clinician and complete required lab work before leaving the clinic. STI testing is also available at your New Intersex Care appointment

Kind Clinic Advocates will help you get HRT medication for as little cost as possible.

Only our facilitator receives a list of emails and they are never shared.  Also, you don’t have to use your real name to sign up or when joining a group. 

Sólo nuestro facilitador recibe una lista de correos electrónicos y nunca se comparten. Además, no tienes que usar tu nombre real para inscribirte o cuando te unes a un grupo. 

This is one of the longest running groups in Austin, founded more than 20 years ago.

Este es uno de los grupos más antiguos de Austin, fundado hace más de 20 años. El grupo en español comenzó en 2023. 

No, you never need to share if you don’t want to.  This is a safe space where you can participate as much or as little as you like.

No es necesario que compartas si no quieres. Este es un espacio seguro donde puedes participar tanto o tan poco como quieras. 

Yes, our first Spanish language group starts April 5th, 2023.  Please sign up above and let us know by noting that you’re interested in joining our Spanish language group.

Sí, nuestro primer grupo de español comienza el 5 de abril de 2023. Por favor, inscríbete arriba e infórmanos anotando que estás interesado en unirte a nuestro grupo de español. 

No, there is never a charge.

No, nunca se cobra. 

Your advocate can review your records and find out if your current pharmacy is a Kind Clinic partner.  If not, it is easy to switch to one of our partners.  We partner with organizations like Walgrees, CVS and Avita.  We also have partnerships with many smaller pharmacies too.  Whichever you prefer, making the switch is simple and your advocate can always help.

No, in order for Kind Clinic to receive the funding, you need to receive your prescription at a Kind Clinic and refill it at one of our partner pharmacies.

There is a government program that created this program, called 340B.  It was established nearly 30 years ago to help hospitals and clinics, like Kind Clinic, care for vulnerable or uninsured patients.  

No, while we love your enthusiasm, only prescriptions from Kind Clinic and refilled at a partner pharmacy are eligible.

The goal of this program is specifically to generate the funds to care for and expand our services for the community.

You Kind Clinic Advocate can help you locate the partner pharmacy most convenient for you. 

There are limited supplies of the Mpox vaccines and the CDC does not recommend widespread vaccination against Mpox at this time. During this outbreak, people who are sexually active are not considered to be at risk for Mpox unless their sexual partners have Mpox or they have had multiple sexual partners within the past 14 days in areas where Mpox cases have been reported.

Laundry

Used or contaminated clothing, linens and bedding materials, towels, and other fabric items should be contained until laundering. When at all possible, people with Mpox should handle and launder their own soiled laundry. Laundry should not be mixed with that of other members of the household.

Follow these laundering procedures:

• Handle soiled laundry according to standard practices, avoiding contact with contaminates from the rash that may be present on the laundry.
• Soiled laundry should never be shaken or handled in a manner that may spread infectious particles.
• In-home laundry facilities:
  • Transfer soiled laundry items to be laundered in an impermeable container or bag that can be disinfected afterwards. Alternatively, a fabric bag may be used that can also be laundered along with the soiled items.
  • Wash laundry in a standard washing machine with detergent, following label instructions. Laundry sanitizers may be used but are not necessary.
• In-home laundry facilities not available:
  • When in-home laundry facilities (facilities not shared with other households) are not available, individuals should coordinate with their local public health department to determine appropriate laundering options.

Hard Surfaces (and non-porous car interiors)

Routinely clean and disinfect commonly touched surfaces and items (such as counters or light switches) using an EPA-registered disinfectant in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

• This includes surfaces like tables, countertops, door handles, toilet flush handles, faucets, light switches, and floors.
• Include interior surfaces of refrigerator, freezer, other appliances, interior cabinet spaces, or drawers if they have been accessed by the person with Mpox.
• Items and surfaces within the home that have likely not been in contact with the person while sick with Mpox do not need to be disinfected.
  • This includes clothing and items in drawers or boxes that have not been in contact with, or in the direct presence of the person with Mpox.
• Wash soiled dishes and eating utensils in a dishwasher with detergent and hot water or by hand with hot water and dish soap.

Upholstered Furniture, Carpet and Soft Furnishing (and porous car interiors)

• If the person with Mpox had direct skin contact and/or excessive drainage of fluids from rashes onto soft furnishings, such as upholstered furniture, carpets, rugs, and mattresses, steam cleaning can be considered. Discuss with state or local health authorities for further guidance.
• If the person with Mpox had minimal contact with soft furnishings, disinfect the surface with a surface-appropriate disinfectant.

Waste Disposal

Generally, management of waste from homes, including those of people with Mpox isolating at home, should continue as normal. Municipal waste management systems routinely collect and dispose of waste materials from individuals with infectious diseases and can do so safely using existing procedures.

• The person with Mpox should use a dedicated, lined trash can in the room where they are isolating.
  • Any gloves, bandages, or other waste and disposable items that have been in direct contact with skin should be placed in a sealed plastic bag, then thrown away in the dedicated trash can.
  • The person with Mpox or other household members should use gloves when removing garbage bags and handling and disposing of trash.
• If professional cleaning services are used, treat and/or dispose of waste in accordance with applicable state, local, tribal, and territorial laws and regulations for waste management. For more information, the Department of Transportation has Mpox-specific information in Appendix F-2 of the federal interagency guidance for managing solid waste contaminated with a Category A infectious substance.

Mpox spreads between people through direct contact with an infectious rash, body fluids, or by respiratory secretions during prolonged, face-to-face contact. Transmission of the virus is possible from the onset of the first symptoms until the scabs have separated and the skin has fully healed.

During the infectious period of time, body fluids, respiratory secretions, and lesion material from people with Mpox can contaminate the environment. Poxviruses can survive in linens, clothing and on environmental surfaces, particularly when in dark, cool, and low humidity environments. In one study, investigators found live virus 15 days after a patient’s home was left unoccupied. Studies show that other closely related Orthopoxviruses can survive in an environment, similar to a household, for weeks or months. Porous materials (bedding, clothing, etc.) may harbor live virus for longer periods of time than non-porous (plastic, glass, metal) surfaces.

Orthopoxviruses are very sensitive to UV light. Despite the ability of Orthopoxviruses to persist in the environment, they are also sensitive to many disinfectants, and disinfection is recommended for all areas (such as home and vehicle) where a person with Mpox has spent time, as well as, for items considered to be potentially contaminated.

Data is limited, but most HIV treatment can be safely given with Mpox treatment and smallpox vaccines. People with HIV should inform their healthcare provider of all their medications to help determine if any interactions exist.

Vaccination is recommended for anyone with a probably exposure to Mpox but you should speak with your healthcare provider to find out what is best for you.  

CDC doesn’t know if having HIV increases the likelihood of getting Mpox. Mpox can spread to anyone through prolonged, close, personal, often skin-to-skin contact, as well as through contact with objects, fabrics (clothing, bedding, or towels), and surfaces that have been used by someone with Mpox, or contact with respiratory secretions, through kissing and other face-to-face contact.

CDC continues to monitor Mpox among people with HIV. During the current Mpox outbreak, there does not appear to be more severe Mpox illness in people who have HIV and are virally suppressed (having less than 200 copies of HIV per milliliter of blood). In fact, the World Health Organization (WHO) Mpox guidance states, “People living with HIV on antiretroviral therapy with suppressed viral load are not considered to be immunosuppressed.” However, people with HIV who are not virally suppressed may be at increased risk for severe illness and death from Mpox.

No, HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is still effective and should be continued as prescribed.

The most important thing is to try to not touch or scratch the rash. This can spread the rash to other parts of the body, increase the chance of spreading the virus to others, and possibly cause open lesions to become infected by bacteria. If you do accidentally touch the rash, wash your hands with soap and water and avoid touching sensitive areas like your eyes, nose, mouth, genitals and rectum (butthole).

Topical benzocaine/lidocaine gels can be used for temporary relief. Oral antihistamines such as Benadryl and topical creams such as calamine lotion or petroleum jelly may help with itching.

Soaking in a warm bath (using oatmeal or other over-the-counter bath products for itchy skin) may offer some relief to the dry, itchy sensations that can come with the rash.

People who have the rash in or around their anus (butthole) or genitals (penis, testicles, labia, vagina), or perineum (taint) may also benefit from a sitz-bath. A sitz bath is a round, shallow basin that can be purchased online or at a pharmacy. Most fit over the rim of a toilet but can also be placed in a bathtub. There is also the option to sit in a bathtub with shallow water. Your healthcare provider may prescribe medication like povidone-iodine or other products to be added to the water in a sitz bath. Adding Epsom salt, vinegar, or baking soda to the water can be soothing.

Medicines like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and acetaminophen (Tylenol) can help you feel better. Your healthcare provider may prescribe stronger pain relievers as well.

For rash in the mouth, rinse with salt water at least four times a day. Prescription mouthwashes, sometimes called miracle or magic mouthwash, or local anesthetics like viscous lidocaine can be used to manage pain. Oral antiseptics like chlorhexidine mouthwash can be used to help keep the mouth clean.

Contact your healthcare provider if pain becomes severe and unmanageable at home.

• Use gauze or bandages to cover the rash to limit spread to others and to the environment.
• Don’t lance (pop) or scratch lesions from the rash. This does not speed up recovery and can spread the virus to other parts of the body, increase the chance of spreading the virus to others, and possibly cause the open lesions to become infected by bacteria.
• Do not shave the area with the rash until the scabs have fallen off and a new layer of skin has formed. Shaving can spread the virus and cause more lesions.
• Keep skin lesions/rash clean and dry when not showering or bathing.
• Wash hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, especially after direct contact with the rash.
  • If you have rash on your hands, be careful when washing or using sanitizer so as not to irritate the rash.
• If you have rash on your hands, wear gloves that are non-irritating when handling common objects or touching surfaces in shared spaces. If you can, use disposable gloves that can be discarded after each use (e.g., latex, polyurethane, or nitrile gloves). Reusable gloves should be washed with soap and water between use.
• Wear a well-fitting mask around other people until the rash and all other symptoms have resolved.
• Eat healthy and get plenty of rest to allow your body to heal.

If you are healthy the most common reactions are:
o Pain and redness at the injection site
o Swelling, firmness, or itching near the injection site
o Muscle pain
o Headache
o Fatigue
o Nausea
o Chills
• If you are an adult with HIV-infection or eczema, you are about as likely as those who don’t have those conditions to experience the skin-related reactions listed above.
• Contraindications for JYNNEOS include severe or immediate reaction to any component of the vaccine (e.g., gentamicin, ciprofloxacin, egg protein, benzonase).The risk for a severe allergic reaction should be weighed against the risk for disease due to Mpox.
• A person who is diagnosed with Mpox virus infection after their first dose of JYNNEOS is not recommended to receive the second dose at this time. A person who is eligible for the vaccine but has been diagnosed with Mpox during this outbreak, which started in the United States on May 17, 2022, is not recommended to be vaccinated at this time. If you had any reaction or side effect to the
first dose of vaccine, notify your health care provider and discuss the benefits and risk of getting the second dose.
• Call 911 immediately if you experience symptoms of an allergic reaction. These symptoms may include hives, swelling of the face and throat, difficulty breathing, a fast heartbeat, dizziness, or weakness. Report any reactions to your health care provider or to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System at 1-800-822-7967 or www.vaers.hhs.gov. 

Mpox is a rare disease caused by infection with the Mpox virus. Mpox virus is part of the same family of viruses as variola virus, the virus that causes smallpox. Mpox symptoms are similar to smallpox symptoms, but milder, and Mpox is rarely fatal. Monkeypox is not related to chickenpox.

Mpox was discovered in 1958 when two outbreaks of a pox-like disease occurred in colonies of monkeys kept for research. Despite being named “Monkeypox,” the source of the disease remains unknown. However, African rodents and non-human primates (like monkeys) might harbor the virus and infect people.

The first human case of Mpox was recorded in 1970. Prior to the 2022 outbreak, Mpox had been reported in people in several central and western African countries. Previously, almost all Mpox cases in people outside of Africa were linked to international travel to countries where the disease commonly occurs or through imported animals. These cases occurred on multiple continents.

CDC recommends vaccination for people who have been exposed to Mpox and people who may be more likely to get Mpox, including:

• People who have been identified by public health officials as a contact of someone with Mpox
• People who know one of their sexual partners in the past 2 weeks has been diagnosed with Mpox
• People who had multiple sexual partners in the past 2 weeks in an area with known Mpox

The U.S. government has two stockpiled vaccines—JYNNEOS and ACAM2000—that can prevent Monkeypox in people who are exposed to the virus.

The preferred vaccine to protect against Mpox is JYNNEOS, which is a two-dose vaccine. It takes 14 days after getting the second dose of JYNNEOS for its immune protection to reach its maximum.

JYNNEOS (also called Imvamune or Imvanex) is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration(FDA) to prevent Mpox infection if you are 18 years or older.
• If given before exposure or within 4 days of exposure, JYNNEOS may reduce the chance of infection. If given between 5 and 14 days after exposure, it may lower the severity of symptoms.
REMEMBER – You will not be fully vaccinated and getting the most benefit from this vaccine until 2 weeks after your second shot of JYNNEOS.

The ACAM2000 vaccine may be an alternative to JYNNEOS. ACAM2000 is a single-dose vaccine, and it takes four weeks after vaccination for its immune protection to reach its maximum. However, it has the potential for more side effects and adverse events than JYNNEOS. It is not recommended for people with severely weakened immune systems and several other conditions.

People should take precautions to reduce their exposure to Mpox until immune protection from vaccines has reached its maximum. Consult your healthcare provider to see if you should get vaccinated against Mpox, and if you should receive ACAM2000 instead of JYNNEOS.

When thinking about what to do, seek out information from trusted sources like the local health department. Second, consider how much close, personal, skin-to-skin contact is likely to occur at the event you plan to attend. If you feel sick or have a rash, do not attend any gathering, and see a healthcare provider.

• Festivals, events, and concerts where attendees are fully clothed and unlikely to share skin-to-skin contact are safer. However, attendees should be mindful of activities (like kissing) that might spread Mpox.
• A rave, party, or club where there is minimal clothing and where there is direct, personal, often skin-to-skin contact has some risk. Avoid any rash you see on others and consider minimizing skin-to-skin contact.
• Enclosed spaces, such as back rooms, saunas, sex clubs, or private and public sex parties where intimate, often anonymous sexual contact with multiple partners occurs, may have a higher likelihood of spreading Mpox.

Even if you feel well, here are some ways to reduce your chances of being exposed to Mpox if you are sexually active:

• Take a temporary break from activities that increase exposure to Mpox until you are two weeks after your second dose. This will greatly reduce your risk.
• Limit your number of sex partners to reduce your likelihood of exposure.
• Spaces like back rooms, saunas, sex clubs, or private and public sex parties, where intimate, often anonymous sexual contact with multiple partners occurs—are more likely to spread Mpox.
• Condoms (latex or polyurethane) may protect your anus (butthole), mouth, penis, or vagina from exposure to Mpox. However, condoms alone may not prevent all exposures to Mpox since the rash can occur on other parts of the body.
• Gloves (latex, polyurethane, or nitrile) might also reduce the possibility of exposure if inserting fingers or hands into the vagina or the anus. The gloves must cover all exposed skin and be removed carefully to avoid touching the outer surface.
• Avoid kissing or exchanging spit since Mpox can spread this way.
• Masturbate together at a distance without touching each other and without touching any rash.
• Have virtual sex with no in-person contact.
• Consider having sex with your clothes on or covering areas where rash is present, reducing as much skin-to-skin contact as possible. Leather or latex gear also provides a barrier to skin-to-skin contact; just be sure to change or clean clothes/gear between partners and after use.
• Be aware that Mpox can also spread through respiratory secretions with close, face-to-face contact.
• Remember to wash your hands, fetish gear, sex toys, and any fabrics (bedding, towels, clothes) after having sex. Learn more about infection control.

Make a habit of exchanging contact information with any new partner to allow for sexual health follow-up, if needed.

Talk with your partner about any Mpox symptoms and be aware of any new or unexplained rash or lesion on either of your bodies, including the mouth, genitals (penis, testicles, vulva, or vagina), or anus (butthole). If you or your partner has or recently had Mpox symptoms, or you have a new or unexplained rash anywhere on your body, do not have sex and see a healthcare provider. In some cases, symptoms may be mild, and some people may not even know they have Mpox.

If you or a partner has Mpox or think you may have Mpox, the best way to protect yourself and others is to avoid sex of any kind (oral, anal, vaginal) and kissing or touching each other’s bodies—while you are sick. Especially avoid touching any rash. Do not share things like towels, fetish gear, sex toys, and toothbrushes.

1 Avoid close, skin-to-skin contact with people who have a rash that looks like Mpox.

• Do not touch the rash or scabs of a person with monkeypox.
• Do not kiss, hug, cuddle or have sex with someone with monkeypox.

2 Avoid contact with objects and materials that a person with Mpox has used.

• Do not share eating utensils or cups with a person with Mpox.
• Do not handle or touch the bedding, towels, or clothing of a person with Mpox.

3 Wash your hands often.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, especially before eating or touching your face and after you use the bathroom.

This time of year, a lot of people are juggling multiple vaccination priorities. With flu season fully upon us, and many in need of a COVID vaccines/boosters, how do those vaccinations impact your Jynneos vaccination?

Flu Vaccine:

You can get a flu vaccine the same day as your Jynneos vaccine, and we will also be offering flu vaccine to uninsured adults at our Austin Jynneos vaccine clinics. There is no need to schedule an additional appointment, just let us know at the time of your Jynneos vaccine appointment that you would also like a flu vaccine.

COVID Booster:

It is important to space your Jynneos vaccine doses and any COVID vaccine/booster at least 4 weeks apart. This means that if you have received a COVID vaccine/booster in the last 4 weeks, you should wait to schedule your initial Jynneos vaccine or 2^nd dose. Although Jynneos vaccine doses are recommended to be a minimum of 4 weeks apart, they can be spaced further apart to accommodate for COVID vaccine if necessary.

Mpox can spread between animals and people.  It is possible that people who are infected can spread virus to animals through close contact, including petting, cuddling, hugging, kissing, licking, sharing sleeping areas, and sharing food.  Infected people should not take care of their pets.  Unexposed pets should be cared for by uninfected people in a separate house.  Exposed pets should be kept at home an isolated for 21 days.  Infected people should not take care of exposed pets.  Visit the CDC website for additional guidance.

Mpox can more accurately be described as “sexually transmissible.” In other words, sex is just one of the ways that Mpox can be spread. In the past, Mpox outbreaks have been linked to direct exposure to infected animals and animal products, with limited person-to-person spread. In the current Mpox outbreak, the virus is spreading primarily through close personal contact. This may include contact with infectious lesions or respiratory secretions via close, sustained skin-to-skin contact that occurs during sex. However, any close, sustained skin-to-skin contact with someone who has Mpox can spread the virus. The contact does not have to be exclusively intimate or sexual.

Yes. There are great one-pill daily regimens and research on some longer acting treatments such as injections or implants that may be available in a few years. If a person stops taking their HIV medication, the viral levels can rise again and this causes the person’s immune system to have to work and can cause some chronic inflammation.

HIV medication should be covered by insurance, oftentimes the pharmaceutical company will assist with copay costs.

Treatment as prevention is having an undetectable viral load. This means that the person cannot transmit the HIV virus to other people.

If you miss a dose of your HIV medication, just take it the next day. As long as doses are not being regularly missed, it should not be a problem.

The CDC says “undetectable equals untransmittable” (or U=U) occurs after 6-12 months of being undetectable, though some experts say U=U may be true after about 4-6 months of being undetectable. This can only be determined by lab tests at this time.

Starting January 1, 2024, patients with health insurance must use their insurance to cover lab work at Kind Clinic or TeleKind. This change is due to the sustainability of our services and the Affordable Care Act requirements for preventive care lab coverage. 

The Kind Patient Assistance Program ensures patients receive the healthcare and medications they need, regardless of their ability to pay. Patients can receive support for medications, co-pays, lab costs, transportation assistance and more. 

Insurance coverage varies. Most plans must cover preventive care labs — like lab testing for PrEP or HIV care — under the Affordable Care Act, but not all labs are guaranteed. Contact your insurance company for details on coverage.  Scroll below for a resource on how to contact your insurance company.

Our Kind Patient Assistance Program (KPAP) can help if you can’t use insurance due to privacy concerns. Patients in such situations won’t receive bills from our lab partners. Contact your Patient Advocate or Care Navigator or call us for more information. 

If you’re uninsured or can’t afford lab costs, our KPAP can provide support to cover the cost of our lab work. Patients in these situations won’t receive bills from our lab partners. Contact your Patient Advocate or Care Navigator for details. 

You’ll receive a bill from our lab partners by mail or email. You’ll also receive an Explanation of Benefits (EOB) from your insurance carrier, explaining what’s covered and any amount you owe. 

If you can’t pay your lab bill in full, our KPAP can offer support. Contact your Patient Advocate or Care Navigator to see if you qualify. We will not deny you care based on any balances you may have for lab work. You can continue to receive care at Kind Clinic and TeleKind. 

Yes! Kind Clinic can help you sign up for health insurance during open enrollment period. Open enrollment for healthcare care coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace starts November 1, 2023, until January 15, 2024.   

To get started please visit www.kindclinic.org/getinsurance or www.mytelekind.org/getinsurance  

Check Your Policy: Review your insurance policy for lab cost details like deductibles and coverage limits. 

Find Contact Info: Look on your insurance card or policy documents for contact info, such as phone numbers, emails, or websites. 

Prepare Information: Gather your policy number and personal details  

Contact Customer Service: 

• Phone: Call and expect an automated system before speaking to a rep. 
• Online Portal: Use the insurer’s portal if available. 
• Email: Send all necessary info to the billing department. 

Ask Questions: Inquire about lab costs for your specific care, like PrEP, HIV care, or gender care. You can ask the following based on the care you’re receiving:  

• I’m on PrEP for HIV prevention, will you cover my required work?  
• I am living with HIV and receive HIV care, will you cover my required work? 
• I receive gender care and Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), will you cover my required work? 

Take Notes: Record rep’s name, contact, and reference number for future reference. 

Review and Verify: Carefully review gathered info to understand your coverage and costs. 

Follow Up: If more questions arise, don’t hesitate to contact your insurance company. 

TeleKind patients will now book their appointments directly through Kind Clinic, streamlining access to care. You’ll still receive the same high-quality care, now under the expanded Kind Clinic virtual services. Your Care Navigator will now be called your Patient Advocate, who will continue to assist with your care, including medication coverage and financial support. 

For Kind Clinic patients, this transition expands your options for virtual care statewide. You no longer have to book virtual services with one of our brick-and-mortar locations, instead just book under “Virtual Services.” 

Our virtual services include PrEP, HIV care and gender-affirming care, ensuring comprehensive support no matter where you are in Texas. You must be 18 or older to receive virtual services. PEP is available virtually, but you'll need to visit a Kind Clinic location to begin lab work. As a reminder, PEP must be started within 72 hours of HIV exposure. If you can't make it to a Kind Clinic, we can refer you to a provider near you. 

Our goal is to ensure a smooth transition, keeping your current providers and support services without interruption. The only change is how you book appointments and access services, not the providers you know and trust. When scheduling through our website or by phone, you can choose your preferred provider or ask for the earliest available appointment. 

You can book a virtual appointment by visiting www.kindclinic.org or by calling our Patient Support Center at 833.WE.R.KIND (833-937-5463). Be sure to select "Virtual Services" when booking online. 

Absolutely. You can transition to virtual care whenever it suits you. Just inform our team, and we’ll guide you through the process. Regardless of whether you choose in-person or virtual care, we’re dedicated to ensuring you have access to our providers and the care you need. 

Yes, if you’re unable to attend an in-person appointment or usually receive care in-clinic but need a virtual visit, you can easily schedule one. Regardless of whether you choose in-person or virtual care, Kind Clinic dedicated to ensuring you have access to our providers and the care you need. 

You can attend your virtual visit with Kind Clinic using any device with a stable internet connection that supports video calls, such as a smartphone, computer, laptop, or tablet. We’ll send you appointment reminders and invite links through email and secure text messages. 

Kind Clinic partners with Quest Diagnostics, offering extensive lab locations for your blood work. During your virtual visit, our team will coordinate lab work at a nearby Quest location. If a Quest lab isn’t available, we’ll help find alternative options.  Read more about getting Kind Clinic Labs done at Quest.

We partner with several trusted pharmacies across Texas, including Avita Pharmacy, to deliver your prescriptions directly to your door at no cost. When you use your insurance and choose one of our pharmacy partners for your prescriptions, you’re directly supporting Kind Clinic’s mission. This helps us extend care to uninsured individuals and expand our services to more community members. Your Patient Advocate can provide details on the specific pharmacy partners available to you.  Read more about our Be Kind Pharmacy Program and search for participating pharmacies near you.

Yes, our virtual services are provided at no cost to patients, ensuring accessible care for everyone. Patients with health insurance must use their insurance to cover lab work at Kind Clinic. Insurance coverage varies. Most plans must cover preventive care labs — like lab testing for PrEP or HIV care — under the Affordable Care Act, but not all labs are guaranteed. If you are uninsured or can’t afford lab costs, our Kind Patient Assistance Program (KPAP) can provide support to cover the cost of lab work. 

No, you don’t need insurance to access care at Kind Clinic. Whether you have insurance or not, we’re here to help you get the care and medications you need. Your Patient Advocate will guide you through the process, including medication access, payment options, and coverage for lab work, depending on your insurance situation. 

Absolutely! Every patient at Kind Clinic is assigned a Patient Advocate. Your Patient Advocate is dedicated to helping you navigate your care, particularly when it comes to accessing and paying for medications. They will assist you in understanding your options and connecting you with available patient assistance programs.