Rene Alegre
Lab Technician - Per Diem
Pronouns: He/him/his
Magnet Sexual Health Clinic
Welcome to Magnet, our sexual health clinic located on the second floor at Strut in the Castro. We provide STI testing and treatment, HIV testing and linkage to care, PrEP services, anal health services and more.
Hours of Operation:
Tue–Sat 10-7 pm (Closed from 1-3 pm on Fridays)
Available Services
Standard sexual health screen (SHS)
- Full STI panel; nurse visit to discuss concerns, symptoms, exposure, and answer questions.
- Preventative treatment for folks who have not been tested yet may be offered.
- If you need STI treatment, have symptoms, or don’t have a confirmed diagnosis, first come in for a standard sexual health screen.
- Doxy PEP: Ask about a prescription during your visit or call 415-487-3131 for more information.
Drop-in visits available during open hours.
Limited availability; first-come, first served. In-person scheduling for same-day appointments.
Cannot be scheduled ahead of time over the phone or online.
Express STI testing (Magnet Express)
- Full STI panel.
- No nurse visit to review concerns
- Folks with questions or concerns, symptoms, recent exposures, or who need same-day treatment should book a standard sexual health screen (SHS) appointment.
- Drop-in visits available during open hours.
You will self-swab for STIs and a phlebotomist will draw your blood.
Visit will be 10 minutes.
STI treatment
- For people who have already been tested and have a positive STI test result.
- Clinical team will send appointment link to people with a confirmed diagnosis.
If diagnosed at another clinic, call 415-581-1600 and press option #1 for info on appointment scheduling.
PrEP Enrollment (new clients)
- Can be scheduled ahead of time online or over the phone.
Please note: If you’re having trouble finding an appointment time online that works for your schedule, please call us. We will try to find a time that works for you.
Call 415-437-3450 or 415-581-1600, press option 1.
PrEP services not available for people with Kaiser, VA benefits, or Tricare.
PrEP Express Follow-Up Visit
- Can be scheduled ahead of time online or over the phone.
- Drop-in visits available during open hours.
Note: PrEP Express drop-in ends at 6:30 pm on Fridays and Saturdays.
Call 415-437-3450 to book in advance.
Get PEP
- Can be scheduled ahead of time online or over the phone.
Call 415-581-1600, select #3 to be connected to the nursing team. PEP services are dependent on staff availability.
Interim HIV care: Emergency HIV meds
Call 415-437-3450 for an appointment; email assist4HIV@sfaf.org
Health navigation or help with benefits related to HIV or PrEP care
Call 415-437-3450 for an appointment; email assist4HIV@sfaf.org or prep@sfaf.org
Gender-affirming care (hormones & hormone level checks)
- Can be scheduled ahead of time online or over the phone.
Call 415-437-3456 for info or an appointment.
Hepatitis C treatment & care
- Can be scheduled ahead of time online or over the phone.
If you’ve been diagnosed with hepatitis C, call 415-350-2900 to discuss your options with a clinician and make an appointment.
Magnet Youth Services
- Services provided Thursdays from 3 to 6 pm.
- Transportation assistance is available
For more information call 415-437-3400.
FAQ
How do make a same-day appointment?
Same-day, drop-in appointments are limited as our services are in high-demand. To book a same-day appointment, grab a ticket from the ticket machine outside the building starting at 9:30 am each day, and come back at 10 am when we open. If you aren’t back at 10 am or if you lose your number, we will give your spot to the next person.
Getting a ticket does not guarantee there will be an appointment available on the same day. If you arrive without an appointment and we are booked, we will do our best to refer you to another sexual health provider in the area, but cannot guarantee their availability.
We do not schedule ahead of time for screenings unless you have already tested and have a positive test result, or you are in our PrEP program and are due for a refill on your prescription.
How do I request my medical records?
If you are not able to access your medical records through the Healow Patient Portal or App, copies can also be requested in-person at Magnet or by email.
DO I NEED A FULL SEXUAL HEALTH EXAM?
If you think you might have symptoms, want to talk to a clinician, are a new client, or have been exposed to an STI, you’ll need a full sexual health visit.
WHEN DO I GET TEST RESULTS?
Test results are usually available within 7 days via the Healow Patient Portal and App. We will also notify you by email when test results are available for review.
I MAY HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO HIV IN THE LAST 72 HOURS. DO I NEED PEP?
For people who have potentially been exposed to HIV in the previous 72 hours, we offer full Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) services with a full month of the medication provided for free. PEP should be considered if you were sexually assaulted, if you were stuck by a needle or if you shared injection drug use equipment with someone of an unknown HIV status, or if you had a condom break or you had condomless anal sex with a person of unknown HIV status or someone with a detectable HIV viral load. People with undetectable viral loads do not transmit HIV.
If you think you need PEP, call us at 415-581-1600 before coming to Magnet so that we can be sure that we can see you. If we are unable to see you, we can refer you to another clinic for PEP. PEP should be taken as soon as possible and within 72 hours after the potential HIV exposure. Every hour counts. Do not wait – call us right away.
"I really love Magnet ... The counselors are sweethearts and they are very nice and professional here.”Krishna V.
1000
HIV tests provided (FY18)
800
Unique Magnet clients served (FY19)
5%
PrEP provided in SF through Magnet (estimated)