By Elaine Bergenheier CCHHS
Wednesday, April 20, 2022
In partnership with the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Carson City Health and Human Services has declared April as Sexually Transmitted Disease Awareness Month. This year we are focusing on the Talk, Test, Treat Campaign.
While STDs are still trending around the nation it is important to remember that not everyone will show outward signs of infections. We encourage you to TALK with your partner(s) and providers, TEST yourself regularly, and TREAT any sexually transmitted infections.
TALK
Talk openly and honestly to your partner(s) about sexual health and STDs. Make sure your discussion covers ways to make sex safer. Discuss topics such as when you were tested last and negotiate condom use before every sexual encounter. If you have an STD (like herpes or HIV), tell your partner.
Talk with your healthcare provider about your sex life as it relates to your health. This helps your healthcare provider understand what STD tests you should be getting and how often. Here are a few questions you should expect and be prepared to answer honestly:
Have you been sexually active in the last year?
Do you have sex with men, women, or both?
In the past 12 months, how many sexual partners have you had?
Do you have anal, oral, or vaginal sex?
What are you doing to protect yourself from STDs?
Not all medical checkups include STD testing, so don’t assume that you’ve been tested unless you discuss it with your provider. If your provider does not discuss sex or STD testing with you, bring it up.
TEST
If you are sexually active, getting tested for STDs is one of the most important things you can do to protect your health. Make sure you have an open and honest conversation about your sexual history and STD testing with your doctor and ask whether you should be tested for STDs. If you are not comfortable talking with your regular health care provider about STDs, there are many clinics that provide confidential and free or low-cost testing.
Many STDs don’t cause any symptoms, so you could have one and not know. If you’re having sex, getting tested is one of the most important things you can do to protect your health. Even if you’re pregnant, you can still get an STD. If you’re having sex, you’re still at risk. Talk to your provider about STD testing options that may include video or phone appointments, express visits and at home collection.
Treat
If you test positive for an STD, work with your healthcare provider to get the correct treatment.
Some STDs can be cured with the right medicine, and all STDs are treatable. Make sure your treatment works by doing these things:
Take all of the medication your healthcare provider prescribes, even if you start feeling better or your symptoms go away.
Don’t share your medicine with anyone.
Avoid having sex again until you and your sex partner(s) have all completed treatment.
Your healthcare provider can talk with you about which medications are right for you.
Sexually transmitted diseases, especially when undiagnosed, can often lead to more serious health concerns such as infertility, stillborn births and an increased risk of HIV. “STDs can have serious and long-lasting effects’ said Katharyn Kurek, CCHHS clinical services manager. “Testing here at CCHHS is simple, affordable and confidential so you and your partners can live a healthy life, without judgement.”
CCHHS offers an income-based fee structure which ensures that no one who wishes to be tested is turned away.
Talk. Test. Treat… so you can live your best life!
For information about Carson City Health and Human Services programs and services, go to www.gethealthycarsoncity.org, follow us on Twitter @CCHealthEd, “Like” us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/cchhs, follow us Instagram @gethealthycarsoncity, call us at (775) 887-2190, or visit 900 E. Long St., in Carson City.
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