UC San Diego AntiViral Research Center

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UC San Diego AntiViral Research Center The award-winning research center is an established leader in San Diego’s HIV research community and is well known for its HIV testing programs.

The AVRC develops and conducts innovative research that enhances the quality and duration of life for people living with and affected by HIV and other infections of global significance. The UC San Diego AntiViral Research Center (AVRC) develops and conducts innovative research that enhances the quality and duration of life for people living with HIV and other infections of global significance. Internationally, the AVRC extends its research and education programs to Africa, Asia, and South America.

📅 October brings two opportunities to connect with HIV research and community in San Diego! ❤️🔬 San Diego CFAR Research ...
09/24/2026

📅 October brings two opportunities to connect with HIV research and community in San Diego! ❤️

🔬 San Diego CFAR Research Day — October 9
Join researchers, community members, and advocates for “Beyond Survival: Redefining Longevity in the Era of HIV.” This full-day event will highlight research and conversations focused on HIV, aging, health, and longevity.

👗 Red Dress Party San Diego — October 10
Keep the weekend going at Red Dress Party San Diego! Wear a red dress, come together in support of our community, and help raise funds for local HIV services and programs.

🎟️ AVRC Discount: Use code AVRC10 for $10 off your Red Dress Party ticket!

Two days. Two ways to connect. One community working toward a future beyond HIV. ❤️

🔗 Details & tickets at the link in our bio!

Words have power. 💬The way we talk about HIV can help challenge stigma—or unintentionally reinforce it.Moving away from ...
09/16/2026

Words have power. 💬

The way we talk about HIV can help challenge stigma—or unintentionally reinforce it.

Moving away from terms like “HIV-infected,” “clean,” “unsafe sex,” or “high-risk person” isn’t just about changing vocabulary. It’s about putting people before diagnoses, describing behaviors without judgment, and creating conversations where people feel respected and empowered.

And language doesn’t have to be perfect. It evolves—and so can we.

Listen. Learn. Adapt.

Swipe through to see how small changes in the words we use can make a big difference. ➡️

Because reducing HIV stigma can start with something as simple as how we talk to—and about—one another.

🔗 Learn more from the International AIDS Society’s Language Matters resource.

PrEP vs. PEP — what’s the difference? 🛡️🚨Both help prevent HIV, but when you use them matters.🛡️ PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prop...
09/10/2026

PrEP vs. PEP — what’s the difference? 🛡️🚨

Both help prevent HIV, but when you use them matters.

🛡️ PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) is taken before a potential exposure to HIV to reduce the risk of getting HIV.

🚨 PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis) is taken after a potential exposure. It should be started as soon as possible and no later than 72 hours after exposure, and it’s taken for 28 days.

Think of it this way:
PrEP = protection BEFORE
PEP = prevention AFTER

Have questions about HIV prevention or research? Ask the AVRC!

For this week’s , we’re introducing one of our inspiring team leaders! 💡✨Dr. Jill Blumenthal first joined the AVRC in 2...
09/02/2026

For this week’s , we’re introducing one of our inspiring team leaders! 💡✨

Dr. Jill Blumenthal first joined the AVRC in 2012 as a fellow working alongside Dr. Richard Haubrich, officially joining the faculty in 2015. Driven by her work as a clinician, she sees firsthand the barriers patients face in accessing care—and uses her role at the AVRC to bridge the gap between research and real-world community impact. 🔬💙

She also has many roles, including:

🔹 Professor of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases & Global Public Health

🔹 Clinical Medical Director, Owen Clinic Gender Health Program

🔹 Researcher | Advocate | LGBTQ+ Ally | People & Dog Mom 🐶✨

Proudest AVRC Milestone:

“I am especially proud of helping bring the PURPOSE portfolio of HIV prevention studies to UC San Diego, including PURPOSE 3 and PURPOSE 4 as one of the few external sites collaborating alongside the HPTN network. These studies are evaluating long-acting HIV prevention options with the potential to transform global HIV prevention, and it's incredibly rewarding to help make these groundbreaking studies accessible to our local community.”

🌈✨ Happy Pride, San Diego! ✨🌈The AVRC is wishing our incredible community a vibrant, beautiful, and safe Pride weekend! ...
07/17/2026

🌈✨ Happy Pride, San Diego! ✨🌈

The AVRC is wishing our incredible community a vibrant, beautiful, and safe Pride weekend! Whether you’re marching in the parade, dancing in Hillcrest, or celebrating in your own special way, we hope your weekend is filled with love, joy, and connection.

Remember to take care of yourself and your chosen family out there:
💧 Stay hydrated (that July sun is no joke!)
🧴 Apply that SPF
🤝 Look out for one another

Let’s celebrate how far we’ve come and keep pushing toward a healthier, more inclusive future for everyone. Have an amazing time, stay safe, and shine bright! ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜

A decade of discovery. 🧬 From mapping hidden reservoirs to harnessing the power of our own immunity and exploring cuttin...
07/15/2026

A decade of discovery. 🧬 From mapping hidden reservoirs to harnessing the power of our own immunity and exploring cutting-edge gene editing, we are moving faster than ever toward a cure.

Take a look back at the incredible progress made by HIV researchers from 2014 to today. Each step forward brings us closer to a brighter future.

Swipe through to see the evolution of this vital research. ➡️

Let’s clear up the confusion. 🚫✨When it comes to sexual health, misinformation shouldn’t stand in the way of your peace ...
07/10/2026

Let’s clear up the confusion. 🚫✨

When it comes to sexual health, misinformation shouldn’t stand in the way of your peace of mind. PrEP is a powerful tool for HIV prevention, but there are still plenty of myths floating around about who it’s for, what it costs, and how it works.

Swipe through to get the facts. ➡️

The bottom line? PrEP is for every body, it’s highly effective, and it’s likely much more accessible than you think (often $0 out of pocket!).

07/07/2026

Pulling back the curtain at the AVRC! 🔬✨

Getting a look behind the scenes where the work happens. We’re more than just clinical trials—we’re a team dedicated to our community, one step at a time. CommunityHealth

Ever wonder how HIV treatment actually works? 🧬 ART (Antiretroviral Therapy) doesn't just slow HIV — it blocks it at mul...
07/01/2026

Ever wonder how HIV treatment actually works? 🧬 ART (Antiretroviral Therapy) doesn't just slow HIV — it blocks it at multiple stages of the viral life cycle, keeping it undetectable in your body. Swipe through to see exactly what's happening at the cellular level. 💊🛡️
Undetectable = Untransmittable. U=U. 💙

📍 Looking for accessible HIV testing options in the neighborhood?Today is National HIV Testing Day and knowing your stat...
06/27/2026

📍 Looking for accessible HIV testing options in the neighborhood?

Today is National HIV Testing Day and knowing your status is a powerful step in taking control of your health, so here are two fantastic local, low-barrier testing sites right here in Hillcrest:

✨ Free & Confidential HIV/STI Testing

Hosted by: The San Diego LGBT Community Center
Time: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Location: 3909 Centre St, San Diego, CA 92103

✨ The Night Clinic
Hosted by: Family Health Centers of San Diego
Time: 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Location: 4094 4th Avenue, San Diego, CA 92103

Both resources are confidential, welcoming, and designed to fit into a busy schedule. Save this post to keep the addresses handy! 👇

Address

220 Dickinson Street, Ste A
San Diego, CA
92103

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8am - 4:30pm
Friday 8am - 4:30pm

Telephone

(619) 543-8080

Website

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