Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) Awareness
STD. You've probably heard those three letters, but do you really know everything you need to know?
Of the approximately 19 million new STDs (also referred to as sexually transmitted infections or STIs) that occur every year in the U.S., most will go undiagnosed. STDs often have no symptoms, so many of those who are infected don't know it. Lack of information, misconceptions and social stigma keep many people from getting tested. Others may mistakenly believe they have been tested as part of general health care.
April is STD Awareness Month, an annual observance to raise public awareness about the impact of sexually transmitted diseases.
Take responsibility for your sexual health. Visit the GYT ("Get Yourself Tested") site to learn more about preventing, testing for, and treating STDs.
Hotlines
CDC-INFO (Formerly known as the CDC National STD and AIDS Hotline)
1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636); 1-888-232-6348 TTY
Available 24 hours a day, in English and Spanish, counselors available to answer questions about personal health issues, including HIV and other STDs; online zip code finders for local HIV and STD testing locations also available at www.hivtest.org and www.stdtest.org. Sponsored by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Planned Parenthood National Hotline
1-800-230-PLAN (7526)
Available 24 hours a day, counseling and clinic referral hotline on STDs, pregnancy and other sexual health issues, sponsored by Planned Parenthood Federation of America.
Web Resources
http://www.thebody.com
Information about HIV/AIDS, including FAQs and an "ask the experts" feature.
http://www.goaskalice.columbia.edu
Information on relationship and sexual health issue, provided by Columbia University's Health Education Program.
http://www.hivtest.org
FAQs about HIV and AIDS and zip code finder for local testing locations, sponsored by CDC.
http://www.iwannaknow.org
Information for young people about sexual health and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), sponsored by the American Social Health Association.
http://www.sexetc.org
Information about sexual health issues provided by teens, for teens, sponsored by the Teen-to-Teen Sexuality Education Project developed by Answer (formerly the Network for Family Life Education), State University of New Jersey.
http://www.stdtest.org
FAQs about STDs and zip code finder for local testing locations, sponsored by CDC.
Informational resource on sexual health issues and clinic locator, sponsored by Planned Parenthood Federation of America.