< Return to TeenWell Home

Let’s Be the Generation to End Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). What You Need to Know!

As you enter adulthood, it’s important to get comfortable talking about your health and that includes STI’s. STI or STD stands for sexually transmitted infection or disease. There are dozens of STI’s including chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes, HIV/AIDs and syphilis.  Let’s be the generation that ends HIV and other STIs. It starts with educating yourself about prevention, testing and treatment.

Talking about STIs can definitely be uncomfortable, awkward and even scary, but being knowledgeable about STIs and how to prevent them, can prevent illness and spreading of these infections.

A lot of STI’s can be treated if caught early. So if you are having sex you should get screened at least once a year – and it is also important to get screened if you or a partner are having symptoms. And remember, even if you do not have any symptoms you could be spreading these infections to your partners unknowingly. 

If you think you are at risk of an STI or are having symptoms, it’s important to get screened as soon as possible. You can get tested with a primary care provider, at health centers like Legacy Community Health, at your university or other testing centers. If your results are negative, it is a good time to talk to your health care provider about prevention; if you are positive, your health care provider can talk to you about available treatment.

The cost of STI testing can vary. Most insurance plans cover basic STI screening at low or no cost to you. There are also health centers like Legacy Community Health that offer some STI testing for free. So there is no need for cost to be a barrier to knowing your status and that of your partners. 

Let’s be the generation that ends HIV and other STIs. 

To learn more about STI prevention, testing and treatment, visit one of the sites below.

www.cdc.gov/std/ 

LegacyCommunityHealth.org/services/hivstd-screening-treatment/