2020 National Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) Awareness Week
THE BEST WAY TO OBSERVE STD AWARENESS WEEK IS TO KEEP SOCIAL DISTANCING AND STAY HOME!
For more information on sex and protecting against COVID-19 check out:
STD rates are on the rise across Texas.
Anyone who has sex could acquire an STD, but some groups are more affected than others.
Young people aged 15-24
In 2018, 6 out of 10 people diagnosed with chlamydia in Texas were 15-24 years old.
In 2018, 5 out of 10 people diagnosed with gonorrhea in Texas were 15-24 years old.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that youth ages 15-24 make up just over one quarter of the sexually active population, but account for half of the 20 million new sexually transmitted infections that occur in the U.S. each year.
Gay, Bi-Sexual, and other Men who have sex with Men
In 2018, 6 out of 10 people diagnosed with syphilis were gay, bi-sexual, or other men who have sex with men.
People who are pregnant
To learn more about sexually transmitted diseases in Texas, download this fact sheet.
You can also learn more about STDs, including the symptoms at dshs.texas.gov/hivstd/info/.
FOR STD AWARENESS WEEK, WHETHER YOU’RE A PATIENT OR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER, REMEMBER THESE SIMPLE STEPS:
- TALK openly to partners, patients or healthcare providers about sexual health and STDs.
- TEST regularly. If you are sexually active you should get tested at least once a year. If you have more frequent or multiple partners you should test at least every 3 months. Learn more about testing from Which STD Tests Should I Get?
- TREAT STDs. If you have a positive test be sure to get treated and retest after treatment to make sure it has cleared.
If you feel that you are experiencing symptoms of STDs or if you recently had a positive STD test, you can find a list of open clinics on our website dshs.texas.gov/hivstd/covid19/.
Many of these clinics can offer telemedicine consults over video chat or by phone.
#STDWEEK #StayHomeTexas