April is Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) Awareness Month
HOUSTON – April is Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) Awareness Month, and Harris County Public Health (HCPH) is taking action to promote safer health practices and reduce the impact of STIs in our community. STIs continue to be a significant public health concern, particularly among young people.
According to the latest Harris County STI Report, STI rates have continued to rise, with a 17% increase in people living with HIV from 2016 to 2022 and a 125% increase in syphilis cases over the same period. Additionally, the gonorrhea rate rose by 49%, and chlamydia remained the most reported STI in Harris County. HCPH is committed to combating stigma, increasing awareness, and ensuring access to prevention, testing, and treatment services.
STIs can affect individuals of all ages, but young people and communities of color continue to be disproportionately impacted, particularly by newly diagnosed HIV cases. In Harris County, the highest rates of new HIV diagnoses occur in individuals aged 25 to 34, while Black and Multiracial communities have the highest rates of HIV and other STIs.
Many people may not realize that anyone can be affected by an STI if they are sexually active, regardless of their background or experiences. This misconception can lead to missed opportunities for prevention and testing, increasing the risk of transmission and long-term health complications.
The good news is that STIs are preventable. Protect yourself and your partners by taking these steps:
- Know your status and get tested if you are sexually active
- Use condoms correctly
- Have open conversations with your sexual partners – get tested together!
- Get vaccinated – The HPV vaccine is safe and effective and can help you avoid health problems like genital warts and some cancers.
Many STIs don’t have symptoms, but they can still cause health problems. The only way to know for sure if you have an STI is to get tested. If you test positive, don’t be discouraged! Many STIs are curable, and all are treatable. If you or your partner are infected with an STI that can be cured, both of you need to start treatment immediately to avoid getting re-infected.
Take action today by talking with your healthcare provider about STI screening, finding CDC-recommended testing options that suit your needs, and locating an STI testing site near you.
HCPH provides various low-cost, clinical, and preventive sexual health services to meet your essential healthcare needs. Call (832) 927-7350 to inquire about our services at HCPH’s Health Services clinics.
Additionally, HCPH includes the Testing 123 in its HIV/STD Prevention Program, an innovative mobile outreach service that empowers clients to take control of their HIV testing process. Offering the convenience of testing on their terms and at their preferred location, the program effectively reduces stigma and removes barriers to HIV testing. Text (281) 962-8378 to set up an HIV testing appointment. For additional information, visit HCPH’s HIV/STI Testing page.
