April is STI Awareness Month.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):

• There are 20 million new STI cases in the U.S. every year
• The medical costs for these new cases are $16 billion
• Adding the new cases each year with existing infection, there are an estimated 110 million total STIs among Americans

STIs are common, but people may not know they have an STI because many don’t have symptoms. But left undetected and untreated, STIs can cause serious health consequences. For example, chlamydia or gonorrhea left untreated can put a woman at risk for pelvic inflammatory disease, a condition that can lead to infertility.

This STI Awareness Month, The American Sexual Health Association (ASHA) is drawing attention to the importance of STD testing. As part of this effort, we are promoting a new campaign—YES Means TEST. Having sex is a choice, and so is saying healthy. Saying yes to sex should mean saying yes to test!

The only way to know if you have an STD to get tested. To learn what tests are recommended for you, you can talk to your healthcare provider and check out our testing page.

STD testing can be confidential and free or low-cost, and common STDs, such as chlamydia or gonorrhea, are usually easily treated with antibiotics. For more information about STDs, YES Means TEST, or how and where to get tested, YESmeansTEST.org. Join the conversation online with #YESmeansTEST.

Get Tested

Sexually transmitted infections (STI) and sexually transmitted diseases (STD) mean the same thing and that is a disease that is spread through sexual activity (remember that includes all types of sex vaginal, anal, and oral). Anyone who is sexually active is at risk for getting and spreading an STD.

At DHD#10 you can get confidential STD testing- that means you do not need a parent or guardian’s consent but we encourage you to go to tell a parent or guardian if you think you need STD testing. STD testing at DHD#10 is available to teens at low or no-cost; cost is based on your income. Services at DHD#10 are LGTBQ friendly.

People with multiple sexual partners, those who think they may have been exposed, those who’ve had unprotected sex with a partner whose health status was unknown, or anyone who has symptoms of an STD should definitely get tested. If you think you have an STD, first off, don’t panic. You should make an appointment to get test right away and hold off on sexual activity until you get tested. To make an appointment call 888-217-3904, option #2.

Upon result of your test, a nurse can discuss safe sex, treatment options, birth control, how to talk to your partner, and more. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask!

For more information about STDs visit, beforeplay.org 

 Quick Links

DHD #10 Sexual Health
DHD #10 Sexual Health Services – Teens
DHD #10 Get an STD Test/Treatment
Yes Means Test
BeforePlay.org