STI/HIV Program

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)

Infections passed from person to person through sex, including vaginal, anal, or oral sex. Though uncommon, STIs can also be spread through other intimate physical contact. Many people with an STI have no signs or symptoms. You can feel healthy and not know that you have an STI. These infections are very common and millions occur every year in the United States. With proper protection, STIs are preventable.

Chlamydia

Chlamydia is a common STI that can cause infection among both men and women. Chlamydia often has no symptoms, but it can cause serious health problems, even without symptoms. If symptoms occur, they may not appear until several weeks after having sex with a partner who has chlamydia.

For more information on Chlamydia: STD Facts - Chlamydia (cdc.gov)

Gonorrhea

Gonorrhea is an STI that can cause infection in the genitals, rectum, and throat. It is very common, especially among young people ages 15-24 years. Gonorrhea often has no symptoms, but it can cause serious health problems, even without symptoms.

For more information on Gonorrhea: STD Facts - Gonorrhea (cdc.gov)

Syphilis and Congenital Syphilis

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that can cause serious health problems without treatment. Infection develops in stages (primary, secondary, latent, and tertiary). Each stage can have different signs and symptoms. You can get syphilis by direct contact with a syphilis sore during vaginal, anal, or oral sex.

Syphilis can spread from a mother with syphilis to her unborn baby, which results in Congenital Syphilis in the infant.

For more information on Syphilis: STD Facts - Syphilis (cdc.gov)

For more information on Congenital Syphilis: STD Facts - Congenital Syphilis (cdc.gov)

HIV/AIDS

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that attacks the body’s immune system. If HIV is not treated, it can lead to AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). Sexual contact is one way that HIV can be transmitted. HIV can also be passed on to an infant during pregnancy, birth, and breastfeeding.

AIDS is the third and most severe stage of HIV infection. It results in a badly damaged immune system that can cause an increasing number of infections and illnesses.

For more information on HIV/AIDS visit: About HIV/AIDS | HIV Basics | HIV/AIDS | CDC

Mpox

Mpox is an infectious viral disease that anyone can get through close, personal, often skin- to-skin contact. The rash may look like pimples, blisters, or sores, often with an earlier flu-like illness. Vaccines are available. Mpox does not usually cause serious illness, however, it can result in hospitalization or death. While New Yorkers should not be alarmed, everyone should stay informed about Mpox.

For an update on Mpox in New York State, including in St. Lawrence County, please visit: Mpox (ny.gov)

For more information on Mpox visit: Mpox | Poxvirus | CDC

HPV

Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is the most common STI in the United States. It is spread by having vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who has the virus. In most cases (9 out of 10), HPV goes away on its own within two years without health problems. But when HPV does not go away, it can cause health problems like genital warts and cancer.  There are vaccines that can stop these health problems from happening.

For more information on HPV visit:  STD Facts - Human papillomavirus (HPV) (cdc.gov)

Other STI’s

Find information on other STIs by visiting: CDC - STD Fact Sheets

Chlamydia and Gonorrhea

Everyone who is pregnant should be tested during each pregnancy!

Anyone with symptoms or had a sex partner test positive!

Every Year if you:

• are a sexually active women under 25;
• are a sexually active women 25 and older with risk factors such as new or multiple sex partners;
• are a sexually active gay, bisexual, and other man who has sex with men.

Every 3-6 Months if you:

• are a sexually active gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men who have multiple or anonymous sex partners

Syphilis

There has been a significant rise

in cases of Syphilis and

Congenital Syphilis in New York State!

During Pregnancy:

• New York State requires everyone who is pregnant be tested during each pregnancy in the 1^st trimester!!
• Beginning 2024, it will also be required in the 3^rd trimester, but is recommended to begin now.

Screen as Needed if you:

• have symptoms;
• are at high risk (history of incarceration, sex work, multiple partners);
• had a sex partner that tested positive

Every Year if you:

• are a sexually active gay, bisexual, and man who has sex with me;
• are a person living with HIV.

Every 3-6 Months if you are:

• a sexually active gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men who have multiple or anonymous sex partners.

HIV

During Pregnancy:

• Everyone who is pregnant should be tested at their first prenatal visit
• Retesting in 3^rd trimester if at high risk of infection.

At Least Once or as Needed:

• All adults and adolescents from ages 13 to 64 should be tested at least once in their lifetime.
• Anyone that is seeking evaluation and testing for STIs.
• Any newborn at delivery if there was no screening during pregnancy.

Every Year if you are:

• a sexually active gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men;
• a person who engages in sexual behaviors that could place them at risk for infection or shares injection drug equipment.

Sexually transmitted infections ARE preventable! 

Here are the steps you can take to keep yourself and any sex partners safe

Know the facts!

Learn the information you need to know on how infections are spread, the symptoms you may experience, when to get tested and how the infection can be treated. 

Knowledge is a key to prevention.

You can learn by accessing CDC - STD Fact Sheets

Abstinence

The only way to completely avoid STI’s is to not have any form of sex.

Condoms

When used correctly and consistently, condoms reduce the risk of infection for all STIs. You can still be infected by certain infections that are transmitted through skin-to-skin contact.

Learn more condoms, including female condoms here.  Condom Effectiveness | CDC

Limit the number of sex partners

• Choose one partner to have sex with one person;
• agree that both of you will get tested to know your status; and
• use protection.

Get vaccinated

HPV, Mpox, and Hepatitis B all have vaccines available to help prevent infection. Talk to your health care provider or click here to see information on the immunization program at St. Lawrence County Public Health. 

Get tested

So many STIs have no symptoms. Standard screening or screening you know you have had a partner test positive can help prevent the spread of infection. Click here to see testing recommendations and information.